Harmful gas emission from Taal Volcano wanes, ‘vog’ disappears

Residents go on their daily life amid volcanic smog or vog from Taal Volcano in Agoncillo, Batangas., on August 19, 2024 Classes were suspended on some towns in the province due to the vog. The observed Metro Manila “haze” is “likely due to local pollutants” and not vog from Taal Volcano, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

LUCENA CITY — Taal Volcano’s release of harmful gas has subsided and no volcanic smog or “vog” was detected on Wednesday, Aug. 21, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs measured 1,186 metric tonnes (MT) of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the Taal Main Crater during the past 24 hours, the state volcanologist said in its bulletin on Thursday, Aug. 22.

The “moderate emission” of steam plumes rose 1,500 meters high before drifting northwest.

The volcano in Batangas province released 5,128 MT tons on Tuesday, Aug. 20, Phivolcs record showed.

However, state volcanologists again observed an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the main crater lake. No earthquake was recorded during the latest monitoring period.

During the latest monitoring period, authorities observed no harmful “vog” over the Taal Caldera throughout the day.

From Monday until Wednesday, the presence of the volcanic smog from Taal forced local government officials in some towns in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region to suspend classes in their respective localities to protect the health of teachers and students.

Vog is composed of SO2 gas and could irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. People with respiratory conditions and pregnant women are at greater risk.

Taal Volcano remained under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest), according to the state volcanologist.

Phivolcs reminded the public that Taal Volcano continued to be in an “abnormal condition.”