Phivolcs records phreatomagmatic burst from Taal main crater

Taal Volcano is still restive. —GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — A phreatomagmatic burst was recorded from the main crater of Taal Volcano Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The activity was recorded at 10:39 a.m., according to Phivolcs, which posted a video of the burst on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=359931722720227

Phreatomagmatic activity occurs when magma, or the hot, molten material from beneath the earth’s surface, interacts with water.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 or “magmatic unrest.”

“This means that there is a magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions,” Phivolcs said in an advisory on Thursday.

Phivolcs “strongly” recommended the evacuation of residents from the Taal Volcano Island and the high-risk barangays (villages) of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East, in Laurel, Batangas.

“The public is reminded that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited,” it said.

Phivolcs said activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time and that communities around it should “remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify.”

/MUF