PHIVOLCS: 1 phreatomagmatic eruption, 6 volcanic quakes in Taal Volcano

A phreatomagmatic eruption event and six volcanic earthquakes, including five volcanic tremors, have been recorded in Taal Volcano on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Friday.

In its bulletin, PHIVOLCS said the phreatomagmatic eruption event lasted up to 12 minutes, while the volcanic earthquakes lasted two to six minutes.

A weak emission of plumes reaching up to 400 meters tall was also observed from Taal Volcano, drifting southeast.

Also, a long-term deflation of the Taal Caldera and short-term inflation of the southeastern flank of the Taal Volcano Island were observed.

Taal Volcano emitted 504 tonnes of sulfur dioxide gas on Tuesday.

The temperature in the Main Crater Lake was at 68.7 degrees Celsius as of April 15, while the acidity level in the same area was at 0.3 as of February 19.

Missing sabungeros

Taal Volcano had an eruption on Thursday amid the continuing search and retrieval operations at Taal Lake for the remains of missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros.

In a press conference, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said authorities will heed PHIVOLCS' advisory on whether or not it is safe to proceed with the search. 

Asked if the search operations will be halted due to the minor phreatic eruption at the Taal Volcano, Remulla said, "Well, pag hindi healthy—kung ito ay magiging balakid sa health ng tao tigil muna. PHIVOLCS will advise us kung ano, kung safe or hindi," he said.

(Well, if it's not healthy—if this will be detrimental to people's health—then we stop for now. PHIVOLCS will advise us on what to do, whether it's safe or not.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News