Taal Volcano Update: These Are The Signs Of An Upcoming Eruption

People in the Philippines are still waiting if the Taal volcano will fully erupt within the next few days. According to scientists in the U.S., there are distinct signs that indicate if a violent eruption is about to happen.

Taal volcano’s initial eruption began on Sunday, spewing out towering clouds of smoke and debris that covered its surrounding areas with ash. Since then, minor earthquakes and other volcanic activities have been detected, leading many to believe that the volcano is preparing for a volcanic eruption.

According to Michael Manga, a volcanologist from the University of California, Berkeley, volcanoes often show distinct symptoms of an impending eruption, Scientific American reported. Manga said these signs can be used to predict intense volcanic activity.

One of the signs is the expansion of the ground near the volcano, which can be measured using GPS instruments. If an expansion is occurring, this means that underground gases, magma or other materials are already moving toward the surface. This indicates that the volcanic activity will continue and could intensify into a full eruption.

Volcanologist Tracy Gregg of the University of Buffalo noted that as magma makes its way to the surface, its movement against the rocks could cause earthquakes. If these seismic activities are getting closer to the surface, this means magma is also doing the same.

Another sign that volcanologists are looking out for are harmonic tremors. According to Gregg, these occur when the magma flows through rocks at a certain speed. If the pathway of the magma has a distinct shape, the flow could produce a note, which is similar to how air moves through a person’s throat when he or she is singing.

This note, or harmonic tremor, indicates that the magma has already made an established route through the rocks. In most cases, detecting harmonic tremors means a volcano is already preparing to erupt.

Currently, agencies in the Philippines are still monitoring the activities of Taal volcano. In preparation for a violent eruption, tens of thousands of residents from the areas surrounding the volcano have already been evacuated. Various reports indicated that a powerful eruption could result in mudflows and even a volcanic tsunami from the lake surrounding the volcano.