Minor phreatic eruption at Taal Volcano recorded – Phivolcs

Taal Volcano in Batangas province in this photo taken at 3:30 p.m. from Tagaytay City in Cavite on Sept. 9, 2024. —PHOTO COURTESY OF SHIELA TAN

MANILA, Philippines — The Taal Volcano in Batangas province had a minor phreatic eruption early Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

Phivolcs said Taal Volcano erupted at 1:59 a.m. and “produced a 600-meter-high eruption plume that drifted southwest.”

A phreatic eruption is a “steam-driven explosion that occurs when water, beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits (for example, tephra, and pyroclastic-flow deposits),” Phivolcs explained in a Facebook post.

Taal Volcano emitted 4,899 metric tons of sulfur dioxide for the past 24 hours, with upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the lake. Emission of plumes also reached 1,800 meters high that drifted southwest, the agency added.

READ: Phivolcs logs 3 phreatic eruptions in Taal Volcano

The volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means entry into the Taal Volcano Island, a Permanent Danger Zone, and flying of any aircraft close to the area is prohibited.

Phivolcs also reminded that possible hazards such as steam-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and expulsions of volcanic gas may occur.

Three phreatic eruptions were also recorded at Taal Volcano on Sunday, lasting from one to three minutes long.

READ: ‘Vog’ reappears after Taal Volcano emits voluminous sulfur dioxide