Taal Volcano had minor phreatomagmatic eruption

A minor phreatomagmatic eruption was reported in Taal Volcano on Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

In a Facebook post with time-lapse footage of the event, PHIVOLCS said the minor phreatomagmatic eruption at the main crater happened from 06:51 a.m. to 06:54 a.m.

“This event generated grayish plumes that rose up to 2800 meters above the crater before drifting northeast as recorded by the Lower Calauit (VTLC) and Napayong (VTNP) IP cameras,” PHIVOLC said. 

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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News