PHIVOLCS advises public to wear masks vs. vog as Taal continues degassing

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Sunday reminded the public to wear face masks as Taal Volcano in Batangas continues degassing.

"Payo namin sa mga tao, kasi kapag hindi agad na-disperse ang sulfur dioxide, pwede itong mag-form ng vog," PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Payo natin sa ating mga kababayan — lalo na ngayon nasa weekend, maraming pupunta sa Tagaytay — magsuot ng face mask. N-95 kung maaari," he added.

(If sulfur dioxide is not immediately dispersed, this may form vog. We are advising our countrymen, especially this weekend when many will go to Tagaytay, to wear face masks, N-95 if possible.)

From 12 a.m. Saturday to 12 a.m. Sunday, one volcanic earthquake was recorded in Taal Volcano, according to PHIVOLCS.

Some 11,072 tonnes of sulfur dioxide was emitted by Taal Volcano on June 6.

"Nakapagtala tayo ng medyo elevated na sulfur dioxide nu'ng June 6," Bacolcol said.

(We recorded a slightly elevated amount of sulfur dioxide on June 6.)

"Kaya kami nag-issue ng notice of sulfur dioxide degassing from Taal Volcano kasi according to PAGASA, medyo mabagal ang hangin," he added.

(That is why we issued a notice of sulfur dioxide degassing from Taal Volcano because according to PAGASA, the wind speed is not that fast.)

PHIVOLCS also said it observed that there was upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater on Saturday.

Vog or volcanic smog was also detected.

Taal Volcano also had voluminous emission of plumes, some rising as tall as 2,400 meters before drifting north-northwest.

Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest) remains in effect over Taal Volcano which is in Batangas.

A phreatic eruption with a duration of two minutes and five volcanic tremors lasting three to 608 minutes were observed, PHIVOLCS said Saturday.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) a phreatic eruption is a "steam-driven explosion" that happens magma heats the ground or surface water.

PHIVOLCS reiterated that Taal Volcano Island (Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ), especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures is off-limits.

Occupancy and boating on Taal Lake as well as flying any aircraft close to the volcano are not allowed.

The agency said Taal Volcano may have steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas. —KG, GMA Integrated News