Taal Volcano emissions weaken, but volcanic quakes still being recorded
Published Feb 29, 2020 12:00 am
By Alexandria San Juan
Emissions from Taal Volcano's Main Crater further weakened from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, a day after it spewed a 300-meter tall smoke plume, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
FILE PHOTO: The main crater of the Taal Volcano is seen during an aerial survey done by government officials, more than a week after the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas. (Mark Balmores)
In its latest update issued Saturday, Phivolcs said a "weak emission" of steam-laden plumes rising only 50 meters high was observed in the volcano's Main Crater before drifting northeast in the past 24 hours.
This was significantly lower than the 300 meter-high plumes emitted by Taal on Thursday morning which were still normal, according to state volcanologists given the volcano's current alert level.
Meanwhile, volcanic quakes within the volcano island also increased on Saturday as the Taal Volcano Network recorded at least 45 tremors associated with rock fracturing processes beneath and around the edifice.
Taal Volcano has remained under Alert Level 2 since Feb. 14, over a month after its Jan. 12 'phreatic' or steam-driven eruption. Alert Level 2 means there is decreased unrest, but should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased, Phivolcs said.
Despite the downgrade in the danger level of Taal, Phivolcs warned the public that volcanic threats could still happen.
"Sudden phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ash fall, 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 reiterated its recommendation that entry into the volcano island, which has been tagged 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 ash fall, 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.
FILE PHOTO: The main crater of the Taal Volcano is seen during an aerial survey done by government officials, more than a week after the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas. (Mark Balmores)
In its latest update issued Saturday, Phivolcs said a "weak emission" of steam-laden plumes rising only 50 meters high was observed in the volcano's Main Crater before drifting northeast in the past 24 hours.
This was significantly lower than the 300 meter-high plumes emitted by Taal on Thursday morning which were still normal, according to state volcanologists given the volcano's current alert level.
Meanwhile, volcanic quakes within the volcano island also increased on Saturday as the Taal Volcano Network recorded at least 45 tremors associated with rock fracturing processes beneath and around the edifice.
Taal Volcano has remained under Alert Level 2 since Feb. 14, over a month after its Jan. 12 'phreatic' or steam-driven eruption. Alert Level 2 means there is decreased unrest, but should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased, Phivolcs said.
Despite the downgrade in the danger level of Taal, Phivolcs warned the public that volcanic threats could still happen.
"Sudden phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ash fall, 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 reiterated its recommendation that entry into the volcano island, which has been tagged 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 ash fall, 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.