Phreatic burst occurs in Taal Volcano
Published Jun 29, 2023 08:14 am
Taal Volcano had a phreatic or steam-driven burst around 12:54 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the phreatic burst, which lasted two minutes and 52 seconds, generated a 250-meter-high white plume before drifting southwest.
However, it noted that Taal Volcano’s current activity does not warrant raising the alert level from 1 to 2.
Phivolcs said Taal Volcano remains under alert level 1, which means it is “still in an abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”
Taal Volcano in Batangas (Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin file photo)
According to Phivolcs’ volcano bulletin issued at 8 a.m., an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake” is continuously observed. It also recorded a three-minute long volcanic tremor in the past 24 hours. Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas on Taal Volcano Island (TVI), Phivolcs said. It advised that entry into TVI—Taal’s permanent danger zone, particularly the vicinity of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, be strictly prohibited.
Taal Volcano in Batangas (Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin file photo)
According to Phivolcs’ volcano bulletin issued at 8 a.m., an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake” is continuously observed. It also recorded a three-minute long volcanic tremor in the past 24 hours. Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas on Taal Volcano Island (TVI), Phivolcs said. It advised that entry into TVI—Taal’s permanent danger zone, particularly the vicinity of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, be strictly prohibited.