Alert Level 4 still up over Taal despite 'generally weaker' eruption in main crater

An imminent hazardous eruption is still being expected even though Taal Volcano apparently displays a calmer activity on Wednesday morning, according to PHIVOLCS.

"For the past 24 hours, Taal Volcano’s activity has been characterized by continuous but generally weaker eruption of the Main Crater due to magmatic and hydrovolcanic processes," it said in a bulletin released at 8 a.m.

Dark gray steam-laden plumes about one kilometer high have dispersed ashes to areas southwest of the main crater, it added.

PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum said the generally weaker eruption is a normal episode in volcanic activities but does not mean that the unrest has already subsided.

"Mas mahina kumpara sa mga nakaraang araw, lalung-lalo na 'yung unang araw... Normal 'yan sa eruption episodes ng mga volcano. Hindi naman masu-sustain ng volcano 'yung napakalakas na pagsabog, kailangan mo ng supply ng magma," he said.

Meanwhile, new fissures or cracks on the ground appeared in barangays Sinisian, Mahabang Dahilig, Dayapan, Palanas, Sangalang, Poblacion, and Mataas na Bayan in Lemery town; Pansipit and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo; Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 3, Poblacion 5 in Talisay; and Poblacion in San Nicolas.

A fissure also cut across a road that connects the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel.

These cracks signify the possibility of a strong eruption, according to PHIVOLCS.

"Ang hinuhudyat nung malalakas na lindol at fissuring na nangyayari ngayon sa Batangas ay mayrooon po tayong malaking volume ng magma na ini-intrude sa edifice at maaari po itong iputok bilang isang malakas na eruption," Mariton Bornas, chief of Volcano Monitoring & Eruption Prediction Division of the PHIVOLCS, previously said.

Volcanic earthquake continues in Taal's vicinity as 159 new tremors were recorded from 5 a.m. on Tuesday to 5 a.m. on Wednesday.

Twenty-eight of these were felt with intensities ranging from Intensity I to III.

This brings to 466 the total number of volcanic earthquakes recorded in the Taal region since 1 p.m. on Sunday.

"Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity," PHIVOLCS said.

On the other hand, the sulfur dioxide emission of the volcano went down to an average of 1686 tonnes/day on January 14. This is lower compared to the average of 5299 tonnes/day recorded on January 13.

The amount of sulfur dioxide is being monitored because it indicates the upward movement of magma, according to Bornas.

"Ito kasi ay ibinubuga ng magma kapag ito ay umaakyat. Ngayon, mas mababa ang mass eruption rate — 'yung parang supply sa ibabaw ng bulkan — so bumaba 'yung sulfur dioxide pero hindi nangangahulugan na nawalan tayo ng magma," she said in a press conference.

"Nandyan pa 'yan. Humihiwalay kasi 'yung sulfur doxide kapag nasa malapit na sa bunganga ng bulkan 'yung umaakyat na magma. Kapag nasa malalim, naka-dissolve pa 'yan sa magma, hindi pa 'yan makahiwalay," she added.

PHIVOLCS reiterated that Alert Level 4 remains over Taal Volcano.

The volcano island and the areas within the 14-kilometer radius from Taal's main crater must be evacuated to avoid possible hazards such as pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami.

Those in the general north of the volcano should also take precautionary measures for effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall, according to PHIVOLCS.

Residents along the Pansipit River Valley where fissuring has been observed shall likewise evacuate.

"Dinagdag din namin 'yung Pansipit River kasi nga po malambot ito at mayroong mga fissuring na nakikita at ang fissuring ay delikado kung may bahay doon mismo sa tabing-ilog," Solidum said.

The airspace around Taal Volcano is hazardous to aircraft due to airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column, it added. —KBK, GMA News