Taal volcano continues to emit 'moderate steam'
Published Feb 27, 2020 12:00 am
By Alexandria San Juan
Taal Volcano's unrest continued after it emitted "moderate" steam rising up to 300 meters high between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
(PNA photo by Joey Razon / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"In the past 24 hours, activity in the Main Crater was characterized by moderate emission of steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters high before drifting southwest between 9 p.m. yesterday and 3 a.m. ," Phivolcs said in its latest bulletin.
According to the state volcanology agency, "intermittent weak steaming activity" occurred in Taal's Main Crater throughout the rest of the observation period.
Phivolcs added that a total of 34 volcanic quakes associated with rock fracturing processes beneath and around the edifice was recorded by the Taal Volcano Network within the volcano island.
State volcanologists explained that the volcano's latest activity is normal given its current alert level status. Taal has been under Alert Level 2 since February 14, over a month after its January 12 'phreatic' or steam-driven eruption.
Despite the downgrade in the danger level of Taal and the decrease in its activity, Phivolcs warned the public that volcanic threats could still happen.
"Sudden phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island and along its coast," Phivolcs said.
With this, Phivolcs reiterates its recommendation that entry into the volcano island, which was already tagged as a Permanent Danger Zone, must be "strictly prohibited."
Local government units were also advised to assess previously evacuated areas within the seven-kilometer radius for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.
Meanwhile, residents were urged to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall, and minor earthquakes.
Communities beside active river channels, particularly where ash from the main eruption phase has been thickly deposited, should also increase vigilance when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall since the ash can be washed away and form lahars along the channels, Phivolcs added.
READ MORE: Calabarzon placed under state of calamity due to Taal volcano’s unrest
(PNA photo by Joey Razon / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"In the past 24 hours, activity in the Main Crater was characterized by moderate emission of steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters high before drifting southwest between 9 p.m. yesterday and 3 a.m. ," Phivolcs said in its latest bulletin.
According to the state volcanology agency, "intermittent weak steaming activity" occurred in Taal's Main Crater throughout the rest of the observation period.
Phivolcs added that a total of 34 volcanic quakes associated with rock fracturing processes beneath and around the edifice was recorded by the Taal Volcano Network within the volcano island.
State volcanologists explained that the volcano's latest activity is normal given its current alert level status. Taal has been under Alert Level 2 since February 14, over a month after its January 12 'phreatic' or steam-driven eruption.
Despite the downgrade in the danger level of Taal and the decrease in its activity, Phivolcs warned the public that volcanic threats could still happen.
"Sudden phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island and along its coast," Phivolcs said.
With this, Phivolcs reiterates its recommendation that entry into the volcano island, which was already tagged as a Permanent Danger Zone, must be "strictly prohibited."
Local government units were also advised to assess previously evacuated areas within the seven-kilometer radius for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.
Meanwhile, residents were urged to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall, and minor earthquakes.
Communities beside active river channels, particularly where ash from the main eruption phase has been thickly deposited, should also increase vigilance when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall since the ash can be washed away and form lahars along the channels, Phivolcs added.
READ MORE: Calabarzon placed under state of calamity due to Taal volcano’s unrest