Taal Volcano’s toxic gas emission declines after sharp spike

LUCENA CITY – Sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano declined after a sharp increase recorded the previous day, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday.

In its morning bulletin, Phivolcs reported that 3,105 metric tons (MT) of sulfur dioxide were emitted from Taal Volcano’s main crater over the past 24 hours.

The volcano also generated plumes reaching up to 1,500 meters that drifted northeast. Phivolcs classified the activity as a “moderate emission” event.

READ: Taal Volcano triggers minor phreatomagmatic eruption – Phivolcs

The latest emission level marked a significant drop from the 6,287 MT recorded on Thursday, which was nearly double the average daily emission of 3,234 MT logged from May 29 to June 2.

Phivolcs said no upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake was observed, and no volcanic smog nor vog was detected during the latest monitoring period.

Taal Volcano registered two volcanic tremor episodes lasting between one and nine minutes.

Early Thursday, the volcano also recorded a minor phreatomagmatic eruption that lasted two minutes, generating plumes about 900 meters high, as monitored through the volcano’s IP surveillance camera.

On May 8, Taal Volcano recorded a minor phreatic eruption, followed by another steam-driven event on May 16.

In April, the volcano logged nine minor eruptive events, including four phreatomagmatic eruptions and five phreatic bursts.

READ: Taal Volcano update: Sulfur dioxide emission up; Alert level 1 stays

A phreatomagmatic eruption occurs when rising magma interacts explosively with water, while a phreatic eruption is steam-driven and occurs when groundwater or surface water is rapidly heated by magma, lava, or hot rocks.

Despite the recent activity, Phivolcs said the unrest is unlikely to escalate into a magmatic eruption based on background volcanic earthquake activity and detected ground deformation.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest. Phivolcs said this status means the volcano remains in an abnormal condition and should not be interpreted as the unrest having stopped or a potential threat of eruption.

Under Alert Level 1, Phivolcs warned that “sudden steam-driven or phreatic or minor phreatomagmatic eruptions, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island.”/coa