Taal Volcano spews steam and ash again, says Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — A minor phreatic eruption occurred at Taal Volcano in Batangas province, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Monday.

Phivolcs told INQUIRER.net that the minor eruption, which lasted for a minute, was observed on Sunday, from 11:23 p.m. to 11:24 p.m.

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),” according to Phivolcs in a Facebook post.

Phivolcs also said that the volcano emitted 2,068 tons of sulfur dioxide with the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the lake. The emission of flumes rose 900 meters high, spreading toward the southwest

READ: Phivolcs logs another minor eruption at Taal, Alert Level 1 still up

The agency previously said that five phreatic events were recorded on Saturday and 30 minor eruptive events occurred in total since September 22.

The volcano remains at Alert Level 1. Phivolcs warned that entering Taal Volcano Island and flying any aircraft close to the volcano premises was prohibited.

READ: Learning to live with volcanoes 

The state seismology also reminded the public that the following hazards can occur: stream-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and explosions of volcanic gas.

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