A minor phreatomagmatic eruption—an event that happens when magma comes into contact with water—occurred at the Taal Volcano early Tuesday morning, Dec. 3, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The eruption, which lasted for four minutes, began at 5:58 a.m. and produced a 600-meter-tall plume that eventually rose to 2,800 meters above Taal Volcano Island (TVI) before it drifted west-southwest.

Ashfall was observed in the towns of Poblacion and Agoncillo, and Barangay Buso-buso in Laurel town, Batangas.

Significant gas emissions

Phivolcs said the eruption was likely caused by the sudden contact of shallow magma with water beneath the Taal Main Crater, where volcanic gas emissions have been elevated over the past month.

Although volcanic earthquakes remain low, sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux was measured at 7,216 tonnes per day on Nov. 30, higher than the average of 5,283 tonnes per day.

Ground deformation monitoring has also shown localized inflation of TVI since September 2024, while long-term deflation of the Taal Caldera region has persisted since 2020.

Major eruption still unlikely

Despite Taal’s phreatomagmatic eruption, Phivolcs assured the public that the likelihood of a major magmatic eruption remains low.

Taal continues under Alert Level 1, indicating that the volcano is in an “abnormal” state.

Residents are reminded that entry into the permanent danger zone, particularly around the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited due to the risks of further phreatomagmatic activity, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and the potential accumulation of dangerous volcanic gases.

Phivolcs also warned that airborne ash and volcanic fragments may pose hazards to aircraft. It urged civil aviation authorities to avoid routes near the volcano.

Local government units are also advised to continue monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of communities affected by ongoing volcanic unrest.