The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Thursday, May 16, that it had monitored two "phreatic eruptions" or steam-driven eruptions, at Taal Volcano.
In its 24-hour observation from May 15 to 16, the institute said the phreatic eruptions lasted two to five minutes each.
Apart from these events, Phivolcs also recorded four volcanic earthquakes, a pH level of 0.20 in the main crater lake since February 2024, and a temperature of 72.7 degrees Celsius since February 2024.
It also detected a sulfur dioxide flux (SO2) of 5,094 tonnes per day since May 13 and observed the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake.
Additionally, moderate emissions of volcanic plumes, reaching 600 meters (m) in height in a west-northwest drift direction, were observed, along with long-term deflation of the Taal Caldera and short-term inflation of the general northern and southeastern flanks of the Taal Volcano Island.
On May 15, Phivolcs observed a "short-lived" phreatic eruption at the Taal Main Crater.
This event was monitored by the Main Crater Observation Station (VTMC) at 1:45 p.m. and lasted approximately five minutes, producing a 500-meter-tall steam plume that drifted west-northwest.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/phivolcs-monitors-phreatic-eruption-event-in-taal-volcano-on-may-15
Low-level unrest
Phivolcs stated that Taal Volcano would remain at Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest).
As a result, Phivolcs prohibits entry into the Taal Volcano Island Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, as well as occupancy and boating on Taal Lake.
It also prohibits pilots of any aircraft from flying close to the volcano.
These prohibitions are due to potential hazards such as steam-driven, phreatic, or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.