Taal spews ash, plumes in minor blast

SMOKE IN THE SKY A minor eruption by Taal Volcano in Batangas early Tuesday, which shows plumes rising 2,800 meters above the volcano island in the middle of Taal Lake, is captured by the observation unit of Talisay town. —Talisay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Facebook photo

LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines — Taal Volcano in Batangas province experienced a minor phreatomagmatic eruption that lasted for four minutes early Tuesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The eruption, which occurred at 5:58 a.m., produced a grayish plume that rose 2,800 meters above Taal Volcano Island, locally known as “Pulo,” that sits in the middle of Taal Lake, before drifting west southwest, Phivolcs reported.

Traces of ashfall were observed at Barangay Poblacion in Agoncillo town and Barangay Buso-Buso in Laurel town.

READ: Taal Volcano: Phivolcs detects another phreatic eruption, 4 quakes

Phivolcs said the phreatomagmatic event was likely caused by the sudden contact of water with a shallow batch of magma that has been degassing sulfur dioxide for the past three years.

Unrest level

But the agency assured the public that the volcanic activity was unlikely to escalate into a major eruption, as background levels of volcanic earthquakes and ground deformation remained low.

Taal Volcano remained under alert level 1, signifying a low level of volcanic unrest. Authorities warned that if the activity intensifies, the alert level could be raised to 2.

Agoncillo Mayor Cindy Valenton Reyes advised residents to stay indoors due to the sulfur smell and ashfall, while Talisay Mayor Nestor Natanauan reminded villagers to remain calm and follow safety guidelines.

Schools in affected areas on Tuesday shifted to distance learning to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

The Department of Health (DOH) also reminded the public to protect themselves from the threat posed by Taal Volcano.

Advisory

“Be prepared to use N95 masks, prepare an emergency go bag, and monitor announcements from the local government authorities,” the DOH in Calabarzon said in an advisory posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

The DOH warned that sudden steam emissions, ground movement, minor ashfall, and volcanic gas releases “are still possible, posing risks to those near the volcano.”

Phivolcs urged local government units to continue to prohibit entry into danger zones, closely monitor developments, and prepare response measures.

Taal Volcano’s surrounding localities include the towns of Agoncillo, Talisay, and Laurel, and the cities of Tanauan and Lipa in Batangas.

For now, authorities called for vigilance but assured the public there was no immediate cause for alarm.