Only weak explosions expected over Taal Volcano unless new influx of magma emerges — Solidum

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is expecting only weak explosions in Taal Volcano unless a new supply of magma emerges underneath, its director Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said on Friday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Solidum said the slow movement of magma after the eruption hints that the volcano may only have weak activities.

“Yung supply ng bagong magma ang mas magiging importante kung mas malalakas na pagsabog ang darating. So yun ang ating babatanyan kung may bagong influx o supply ng magma papunta sa ialalim ng bulkan,” he said.

(The supply of new magma will be more relevant on whether stronger explosions will happen. So that’s what we will watch out for if there is a new influx or supply of magma coming underneath the volcano.)

Solidum said they are anticipating two scenarios in Taal Volcano. First, similar explosions will happen or lava will ooze with the continued slow movement of magma.

The other one is a stronger explosion due to a new supply of magma rising with more gasses inside the volcano.

A short-lived phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at Taal's main crater on Thursday afternoon and generated a dark grayish plume that rose 1,000 meters.

It was followed by four short phreatomagmatic bursts at 6:26 p.m., 7:21 p.m., 7:41 p.m., and 8:20 p.m. that lasted not longer than two minutes, producing plumes of up to 200 meters above the main crater lake.

As of Friday morning, Alert Level 3 remained over the Taal Volcano, which means magma extruding from the main crater could drive an explosive eruption. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News