TAAL VOLCANO ACTIVITIES BEING MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT, SAYS MARCOS

The phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at the Taal Volcano have over 40 similar eruptions since April this year according to the state volcanology institute (Photo courtesy of PHIVOLCS)

On Wednesday afternoon the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) logged a minor phreatomagmatic eruption from the Taal volcano in Batangas province that lasts for 11 minutes with its plume rising over.

The state volcanology institute said, the eruption reached a 2400-meter (7,875-feet) column of volcanic material above the volcano island. It said that the phreatomagmatic eruption is a "violent eruption due to explosive contact of erupting magma with water. It is also characterized by a voluminous and slightly tall ash column and base surges.  

PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division Chief Mariton Bornas said, “Based on the seismic signal, when we compared it with the signals from previous phreatomagmatic events in 2021 and 2022, we found similarities to those in March 2022. The only difference is that during the 2021-2022 period, there were numerous low-frequency volcanic earthquakes and tremor swarms.”

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. assured the public that the government is monitoring the situation in Taal Volcano. “We have SOPs in place, we have standard procedures. When a volcano erupts, or when storms come, or earthquake, or whatever, they know what to do.”

“What we have to do is to monitor the situation and continue to see where are the areas because not every situation is the same. So how do we adjust? Where are the areas that need special attention, where are the areas that are okay,” he added.

Alert level 1 remains hoisted over Teal, indicating possible gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, and minor ashfall. Phivolcs warned the public to expect phreatic or steam-driven eruptions from time to time when hot volcanic material comes in contact with water. 

Entry into Taal Volcano Island, a permanent danger zone, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, and occupancy and boating on Taal Lake are prohibited. Flying an aircraft close to the volcano is also not allowed. 

Source: Philippine News Agency 

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