Taal Volcano spews 1.2-km ash plume into sky

Taal Volcano recorded a minor phreatomagmatic eruption at its main crater on Saturday afternoon, sending a 1.2-kilometer ash plume into the sky, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said. 

Time-lapse footage of the eruption, which occurred at 5:30 p.m., was posted by PHIVOLCS on its Facebook page.

Phreatomagmatic eruptions are caused by the interaction of magma and water, according to PHIVOLCS. These eruptions normally consist of multiple explosive events, and their interval may vary.

Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano.

This means the volcano is in an abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.

Under Alert Level 1, the possible hazards are sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.

PHIVOLCS prohibits the entry to the Taal Volcano Island, permanent danger zone, or PDZ, especially the vicinity of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure. Flying close to the volcano is also prohibited. —VBL, GMA Integrated News