Weak steaming from Taal fissure vents noted
Published Feb 7, 2020 12:00 am
By Alexandria Dennise San JuanÂ
State volcanologists observed a weak steaming from fissure vents along the Daang Kastila trail of the restive Taal Volcano on Friday, almost a month after its explosion.
The main crater of the Taal Volcano in Batangas is seen during an aerial survey done by government officials. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In its latest update, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a weak steaming is currently ongoing from fissure vents along the Daang Kastila trail, which had been used by tourists when hiking the volcano to see the picturesque main crater.
Phivolcs had earlier said that a huge fissure was found along the Daang Kastila trail which caused the formation of an explosion tip where a sudden explosion may also happen.
But the agency said it was not the first time that steam has been observed in the fissures of the Daang Kastila trail, which it described as normal.
Phivolcs had previously explained that steaming in the main crater of Taal, as well as in its fissure vents, only indicates that there is an ongoing hydrothermal activity under the volcano, in which the groundwater was being heated by the magma that produces steam or smoke.
Following Taal's eruption last January 12, Phivolcs reiterated its warning that the volcano island, which is a permanent danger zone, should be strictly off-limits due to volcanic hazards that already caused casualties in its previous eruptions.
The main crater of the Taal Volcano in Batangas is seen during an aerial survey done by government officials. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In its latest update, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a weak steaming is currently ongoing from fissure vents along the Daang Kastila trail, which had been used by tourists when hiking the volcano to see the picturesque main crater.
Phivolcs had earlier said that a huge fissure was found along the Daang Kastila trail which caused the formation of an explosion tip where a sudden explosion may also happen.
But the agency said it was not the first time that steam has been observed in the fissures of the Daang Kastila trail, which it described as normal.
Phivolcs had previously explained that steaming in the main crater of Taal, as well as in its fissure vents, only indicates that there is an ongoing hydrothermal activity under the volcano, in which the groundwater was being heated by the magma that produces steam or smoke.
Following Taal's eruption last January 12, Phivolcs reiterated its warning that the volcano island, which is a permanent danger zone, should be strictly off-limits due to volcanic hazards that already caused casualties in its previous eruptions.