A minor phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at Taal Volcano today, December 3, at 5:58 AM, which lasted four minutes.
Photo: Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Talisay, Batangas/Facebook
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Taal Volcano generated a 2800-meter grayish plume before drifting west-southwest.
“Today’s phreatomagmatic event was likely driven by sudden contact of water with a small batch of shallow magma that has been in place beneath the Taal Main Crater, and that has been degassing sustained levels of SO2 for the past three years,” PHIVOLCS noted. “Traces of ash were reported in Poblacion, Agoncillo and Buso-buso, Laurel, Batangas.”
Taal Volcano is currently under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest. The possible hazards that can occur are the following:
- steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions
- volcanic earthquakes
- minor ashfall
- lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas
PHIVOLCS emphasized that if the phreatomagmatic activity at Taal Volcano persists or intensifies, the alert status may be raised to Level 2.
“DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Talisay, Batangas uploaded the CCTV footage of the minor phreatomagmatic eruption at Taal Volcano.
Stay safe, everyone!
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