Alert Level 3 up over Taal Volcano — Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — Alert Level 3 has been raised over Taal Volcano after a series of short phreatomagmatic bursts, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported Saturday morning.

Phivolcs said that plumes as high as 1.5 kilometers were spotted from Taal’s main crater at 7:22 a.m., which was accompanied by volcanic earthquakes.

Phivolcs said this may mean that there is magmatic intrusion near the main crater “that may further drive succeeding eruptions”.

“Phivolcs strongly recommends Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas province, be evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur,” the agency said.

Alert Level 3 means there is magmatic unrest within the volcano. Taal Volcano was earlier under Alert Level 2.

“Communities around the Taal Lake shores are advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify,” Phivolcs said.

It likewise advised civil aviation authorities to warn pilots not to fly over Taal Volcano Island “as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft”.

Taal Volcano last showed signs of unrest in the middle of 2021, where Alert Level 3 was raised amid a series of short bursts and earthquakes. 

The volcano last erupted in January 2020, which resulted in an ashfall in nearby areas and even as far as Metro Manila. (with reports from Delfin Mallari)

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