PHIVOLCS RECORDED RECENT TAAL AND KANLAON VOLCANIC ACTIVITIES

Phivolcs said that the public should not panic despite a minor phreatic eruption at Taal volcano and Kanlaon Volcano emitting ash anew (Photo courtesy of Marlon Mallari/Inquirer)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has monitored a minor phreatic eruption at Taal Volcano and two ash emission events at Kanlaon Volcano on Wednesday and Tuesday.

“Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven explosions that occur when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits (for example, tephra and pyroclastic-flow deposits),” Phivolcs explained.

According to PHIVOLCS, the eruption from Taal Volcano island's main cater occurred at 2:22 a.m. on Wednesday which generated a 500-meter plume that was captured by the thermal camera of the Taal Volcano Observatory in Barangay Buco in Talisay, Batangas. 

It’s the third eruption from the volcano this year. Despite this, PHIVOLCS said that Alert Level 1 remains hoisted over Taal Volcano, indicating a low-level unrest.

State seismologists warned of potential hazards such as steam-driven or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and the expulsion of volcanic materials.

Meanwhile, two ash emission events were recorded at Kanlaon Volcano on Tuesday that lasted 16 to 22 minutes long. As of Wednesday, a voluminous 200-meter tall plume was observed at Kanlaon Volcano that drifted general west.

Eleven volcanic earthquakes, including two volcanic tremors were also recorded. The volcano’s edifice also remained inflated. Alert Level 3 is currently raised over Kanlaon Volcano which straddles the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. 

Possible hazards that may occur include sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current, rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains, PHIVOLCS said.

Source: Philippine Star 

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