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'Upwelling of hot volcanic fluids' forming steam plumes at Taal -- Phivolcs
'Upwelling of hot volcanic fluids' forming steam plumes at Taal -- Phivolcs
Taal Volcano has once again generated a 1.5-kilometer high steam plume that is triggered by the upwelling of "hot volcanic fluids" in the volcano's lake in the last 24 hours.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the upwelling has formed "steam plumes, vertical jets, and even water spouts when cool air or rainwater is upon the lake surface."
"There have been no observations of such activity during the hot daytime period of upwelling," Phivolcs said in a tweet on Saturday afternoon, May 22.
In a bulletin issued on Sunday, May 23, Phivolcs said it has not detected an earthquake at Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours but a low-level background tremor has persisted since April 8.
Moreover, sulfur dioxide emission remains high at an average of 2,811 tonnes per day as recorded on May 22.
Meanwhile, temperature highs of 71.8°C and pH of 1.59 were last measured from the main crater lake on March 4, 2021 and Feb. 12, 2021, respectively.
"Ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring continue to record a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region that began after the January 2020 eruption," Phivolcs said.
These parameters continue to indicate a persistent magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the Taal Volcano.
As it continues to show signs of elevated unrest, Taal Volcano's status remains under Alert Level 2.
The restive volcano in Batangas has been under Alert Level 2 since March 9, 2021.
"Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around TVI," Phivolcs pointed out.
It reiterated that entry into the volcano island, which is a permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.
Occupancy and boating on Taal Lake should also be strictly prohibited, Phivolcs said.
Local government units were advised to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.
Civil aviation authorities were also asked to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft.