KEY POINTS

  • Taal volcano recently emitted steam-laden plumes
  • PHIVOLCS said the emissions were moderate
  • The status of Taal is still at Alert Level 2

The Taal Volcano in the Philippines continues to show signs of unrest after recently emitting towering steam-laden plumes. A local agency noted that the volcano’s latest activity is normal given its current Alert Level status.

Volcanic activity in Taal spiked on Jan. 12 through a phreatic eruption with ashfall reaching different parts of the Philippines. Since then, the volcanic activity has subsided, and Taal’s status was downgraded from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 2.

On Wednesday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) detected steam emissions from the volcano. According to the agency, the emission reached a height of 300 meters.

The agency also detected about 34 volcanic quakes near the volcano. PHIVOLCS noted that the seismic activity was most likely caused by rock fracturing near the edifice.

“In the past 24 hours, activity in the Main Crater was characterized by moderate emission of steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters high before drifting southwest between 9:00 PM yesterday and 3:00 AM today,” PHIVOLCS stated in its latest bulletin. “Intermittent weak steaming activity occurred throughout the rest of the observation period.”

Despite the volcano’s latest activity, PHIVOLCS maintained that the recent emissions were only moderate. In addition, the agency reminded the public that Taal’s latest volcanic activity is expected for a volcano with an Alert Level 2 status.

“Alert Level 2 is maintained over Taal Volcano,” the agency explained. “DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that at Alert Level 2, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island (TVI) and along its coast.”

Although the emissions and volcanic earthquakes were minor, PHIVOLCS advised the local government of the regions surrounding Taal to stay alert and maintain a state of preparedness in case of continued unrest from the volcano.

The agency also advised local authorities and officials to assess the previously evacuated areas that are within the seven-kilometer danger zone around Taal. According to PHIVOLCS, the officials should check for road accessibility as well as new signs of structural damage in these areas.

Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'
Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' AFP / Ted ALJIBE
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