‘Vog’ reappears after Taal Volcano emits voluminous sulfur dioxide

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 Sept. 9, 2024. The volcano, which remains under alert level 1, records an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the volcano’s main crater lake, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. —PHOTO COURTESY OF SHIELA TAN

LUCENA CITY – Taal Volcano in Batangas province emitted voluminous sulfur dioxide (SO2) on Saturday, September 14, amid the reappearance of volcanic smog or “vog.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported in its latest bulletin issued on Sunday morning, September 15, that the volcano released a “voluminous emission” of 4,213 metric tons (MT) of SO2 from the volcano’s main crater in the past 24 hours.

READ: ‘Vog’ seen anew in Taal Volcano

The plumes rose to 2,600 meters above Taal Volcano Island, the volcano’s crater landmass, locally known as “Pulo,” that sits within Taal Lake, before drifting southwest and northeast.

State volcanologists also observed the renewed presence of “vog” during the latest observation period after it disappeared on September 9.

The vog returned on September 8 but disappeared again the next day.

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

Authorities warned the public of the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to volcanic SO, such as irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract, especially among those who have underlying health conditions such as asthma, lung and heart diseases.

Phivolcs again noted an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the main crater lake.

No earthquake was recorded during this latest monitoring period.

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