LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Taal Volcano in Batangas generated a minor phreatomagmatic eruption early Thursday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the eruptive activity occurred at 1:02 a.m., although the agency did not indicate how long the event lasted.
The eruption generated plumes rising about 900 meters, as monitored through the volcano’s IP surveillance camera.
READ: Taal Volcano update: Sulfur dioxide emission up; Alert level 1 stays
A phreatomagmatic eruption occurs when rising magma interacts explosively with water. In contrast, a phreatic eruption is steam-driven and happens when groundwater or surface water is rapidly heated by magma, lava, or hot rocks.
On May 8, Taal Volcano recorded a minor phreatic eruption, followed by another steam-driven event on May 16.
In April, the volcano recorded nine minor eruptive events, including four phreatomagmatic eruptions and five phreatic bursts.
Despite the recent eruptive activities, Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest. /coa