Taal Volcano logs new minor eruption

LUCENA CITY – Taal Volcano recorded another minor phreatomagmatic eruption on Friday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

READ: Taal Volcano had minor eruption – Phivolcs

In a bulletin, Phivolcs said the activity at the main crater occurred at 1:45 p.m, but its duration is yet to be determined.

“This event generated a short 200-meter plume as captured by the Main Crater and Daang Kastila Observation Stations on the western and northern rims, respectively, of the Main Crater,” the agency explained.

The volcano also produced a similar minor phreatomagmatic eruption on Thursday morning, which lasted about two minutes. Earlier, on April 6, a steam-driven burst was recorded, also lasting about two minutes.

Phivolcs explained that a phreatomagmatic eruption occurs when water beneath or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, or hot rocks, causing an explosive release of steam.

Over the past 24 hours, seven volcanic earthquakes were recorded.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from the main crater totaled 732 metric tons, slightly lower than the 858 metric tons logged on April 8 and 9. The latest emission level was classified as “moderate.”

During the monitoring period, no upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the crater lake, and no volcanic smog, or “vog,” was detected.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.

Phivolcs reiterated that the volcano is in an “abnormal condition,” cautioning that this should not be taken to mean that unrest has ceased or that the threat of eruptive activity has diminished.

“At Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, minor phreatomagmatic events, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and hazardous gas emissions may still occur and pose danger within Volcano Island,” the agency warned./coa/mcm