Taal Volcano spews 900-meter plume

Taal Volcano in Batangas spewed a 900-meter plume late Friday night following a phreatic eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

The phreatic eruption from Taal Volcano Island's Main Crater, which occurred at 11:51 p.m., was accompanied by a volcanic tremor that lasted three minutes.

Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven explosions that occur when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits, according to PHIVOLCS.

Alert Level 1 (Low-level unrest) prevails over the volcano.

In its bulletin issued on Saturday morning, PHIVOLCS said Taal Volcano emitted 5,868 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Jan. 8.

PHIVOLCS reiterated that entry into Taal Volcano Island, considered a permanent danger zone or PDZ, is not allowed, especially in the Main Crater and Daang Kastilla fissures.

Likewise, flying any aircraft close to the volcano is prohibited.

PHIVOLCS said Taal Volcano poses possible hazards such as:

• steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions;
• volcanic earthquakes;
• minor ashfall; and
• lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.

—VBL/KG, GMA Integrated News