The Taal Volcano in Batangas produced another phreatomagmatic burst on Thursday, July 8, which generated a “grayish” plume that reached 200-meters high, state volcanologists said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the eruption occurred at Taal’s main crater at around 6:47 a.m., noting that the volcano remains under Alert Level 3 due to “magmatic unrest.”
LOOK: Taal Main Crater's phreatomagmatic burst at 6:47 AM today which generated a 200-meter grayish plume, as captured by Main Crater IPCamera. Alert level 3 still prevails over Taal Volcano. pic.twitter.com/jakyfPjm2x
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) July 8, 2021
Based on the latest bulletin, a series of five phreatomagmatic bursts occurred at 8:47 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 9:26 a.m., 11:56 a.m., and 9:41 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7.
The phreatomagmatic explosions produced “short-jetted” plumes that rose up to 700 meters above the Taal’s main crater lake.
Phreatomagmatic eruption is caused by magma coming into contact with groundwater.
In the past 24-hour period, Phivolcs recorded 60 volcanic earthquakes, including five explosion-type quakes, 24 low frequency volcanic quakes, 21 volcanic tremor events with durations between two to four minutes, 10 hybrid earthquakes, and low-level background tremor on Wednesday.
State volcanologists also measured high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emissions and steam-rich plumes at Taal’s main crater which rose 1,500 meters before drifting southwest.
Likewise, sulfur dioxide emission averaged 11,397 tonnes per day on Wednesday.
“At Alert Level 3, magma extruding from the main crater could drive explosive eruption,” Phivolcs said.
It reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island as well as into the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited due to the hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should strong eruptions occur
“All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time,” it added.
Communities around the Taal Lake shores were also advised to remain vigilant, as well as take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and volcanic smog or “vog” and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify.
“Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying over Taal Volcano Island as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft,” Phivolcs said.