'Weak' phreatic eruption observed at Taal Volcano
Taal Volcano. News Live screenshot
Weak phreatic eruption, or a steam-driven explosion, was observed at Taal Volcano’s main crater on Wednesday, according to PHIVOLCS in an advisory.
According to PHIVOLCS, the phreatic activity occurred between 8:27 a.m. to 8:31 a.m. and produced “white-steam laden plumes that rose 2000 meters above the main crater.”
But the agency said that sulfur dioxide emissions have declined in the past week and averaged 2,191 tonnes per day on May 6.
“Nonetheless, average SO2 emissions since January this year remain high at 8,913 tonnes/day,” said PHIVOLCS.
PHIVOLCS explained that a weak phreatic eruption “is likely driven by the continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal Main Crater and could be succeeded by similar events.”
It noted that the unrest of the volcano located in Batangas is “unlikely to progress into magmatic eruption.”
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 due to low-level unrest.
Under such an alert status, sudden phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas pose a threat within the Taal Volcano Island.
Entry into the Taal Volcano Island and the permanent danger zone is prohibited and the vicinity of the volcano is a no-fly zone. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/KBK, GMA Integrated News
This article ‘Weak’ phreatic eruption observed at Taal Volcano was originally published in GMA News Online.