After days of volcanic smog or “vog” affecting nearby communities, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Thursday, Aug. 22, that no vog had been observed at Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
Based on its 24-hour bulletin for Taal Volcano, Phivolcs recorded a decrease in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions at 1,186 tons on Aug. 21, down from 5,128 tons the previous day.
However, an upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake continues.
Phivolcs also observed a “moderate” plume emission reaching 1,500 meters above the crater and drifting northwest.
The previous day, the volcano had a “voluminous” plume emission that reached 2,100 meters high.
Before this, Phivolcs had observed vog at Taal Volcano since Aug. 15, though the measured SO2 levels were not significantly high.
The presence of vog was attributed to low wind speeds in Batangas and Metro Manila, where local pollutants also contributed to smog.