Image shows ash, lava visible at Taal Volcano’s main crater

Ash deposits and lava are now visible on the lower portion of the main crater of Taal Volcano, an image posted on Facebook by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has shown.

The volcano's continued activity has drained its main crater lake of water on Wednesday last week.

PHIVOLCS also noted the presence of several eruption vents inside the crater and active steaming.

The main crater lake islet is still visible.

As of Thursday, PHIVOLCS said the volcano still had a 30 percent chance of having an explosive eruption despite a lower sulfur dioxide emission and a decrease in seismic activity.

Still, Alert level 4 remained hoisted at the Taal Volcano. This means an explosive eruption may happen in a matter of hours or days.

According to PHIVOLCS, on-going eruptions may further change the morphology with the crater.

On Monday, the agency noted that the northeastern portions of the Volcano Island has sunk while the entire volcano swelled due to eruptions.

Meanwhile, in its latest situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 316,989 individuals have been affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. 

Of the number, 147,873 are taking temporary shelter in 500 evacuation centers. —NB, GMA News