‘Vog’ seen anew in Taal Volcano

STILL RESTIVE Volcanic smog or “vog” envelops Taal Volcano in Batangas province in this photo taken at 3:30 p.m. from Tagaytay City in Cavite on Monday. The volcano, which remains under alert level 1, records an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the volcano’s main crater lake, according to Phivolcs. —Photo courtesy of Sheila Tan

LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Monday that volcanic smog, or “vog,” was again observed in Taal Volcano in Batangas province.

In its latest bulletin issued on Monday morning, Phivolcs said that the volcano released 1,379 metric tons of sulfur dioxide in the past 24 hours.

The plumes rose to 1,500 meters above Taal Volcano Island, the volcano’s crater landmass, locally known as “Pulo,” which sits within Taal Lake, before drifting northeast.

State volcanologists observed the renewed presence of vog during this time after it disappeared on Aug. 31.

READ: Taal volcano emits voluminous toxic gas, ‘vog’ reappears

Vog consists of fine droplets containing acidic volcanic gas such as sulfur dioxide, which can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract.

On Aug. 19 and Aug. 20, the presence of vog from Taal forced local government officials in some towns in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) to suspend classes in their localities.

‘Hot volcanic fluids’

Phivolcs again noted an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the main crater lake. No earthquake was recorded during this latest monitoring period.

On Monday, several residents in areas in Batangas surrounding Taal Lake, including those from the towns of Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Balete, Mataas na Kahoy and Cuenca, have posted videos on social media of the vog that enveloped the volcano island and plumes rising from its crater.

Agoncillo Mayor Cindy Valenton Reyes reminded her constituents of the renewed threat from vog.

“Be careful, as there is vog. Wear a face mask. Drink plenty of water,” Reyes said in a post on her Facebook page on Monday.

But Tagaytay City in Cavite, which overlooks the volcano, was not affected by the vog.

Shiela Tan, 71, a Tagaytay resident, said the view of the volcano from their house across the street looked peaceful on Monday morning.

“No signs and toxic smell of vog. The volcano is all in her scenic beauty,” Tan said in a phone interview.

According to Phivolcs, Taal Volcano is still on alert level 1, or a low level of volcanic unrest.

The agency reminded the public that the volcano remains in an “abnormal condition” and “should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”