Taal Volcano logs phreatic eruption, 9 quakes
The scenic view of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City, Cavite, shown in this photo taken on October 24, 2023. This photo portrays calmness amid the volcano’s continued emission of toxic gas. — MARLON MALLARI/ CONTRIBUTOR
LUCENA CITY — A phreatic eruption was observed at Taal Volcano in Batangas province within the past 24 hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
In its morning bulletin on Tuesday, June 17, Phivolcs reported that the steam-driven eruption lasted 17 minutes, but did not specify the exact time of the event.
Phivolcs explained that a phreatic eruption occurs when “water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits.”
During its observation, Phivolcs recorded nine volcanic earthquakes and one volcanic tremor that lasted five minutes.
In the latest monitoring period, the agency reported that Taal Volcano emitted 146 metric tons of sulfur dioxide, significantly lower than the 242 metric tons released the previous day.
Phivolcs classified the latest emission activity as a “weak emission.”
No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the main crater lake of Taal Volcano Island, which sits at the center of Taal Lake.
No volcanic smog or “vog” was also detected during the observation period.
According to Phivolcs, Taal Volcano remains at Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest.
READ: Taal Volcano: Phivolcs detects another phreatic eruption, 4 quakes
The agency also reminded the public that the volcano remains in an “abnormal condition,” and this situation “should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”/mcm
