‘Very weak, minor phreatic eruption’ logged at Taal Volcano

A very weak, minor phreatic eruption occurred at Taal Volcano’s main crater on Tuesday evening, state volcanologists said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) shared time lapse, thermal camera footages of the minor phreatic eruption recorded between 7:10 pm. To 7:11 p.m. of April 21.

“This event generated a 100-meter plume as captured by the thermal camera of the Daang Kastila Observation Station (VTDK) and the Main Crater Observation Station (VTMC),” PHIVOLCS said on its social media accounts.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 or a low level of unrest.

Entry into Taal Volcano Island is prohibited as it is permanent danger zone (PDZ), particularly the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures. Also prohibited are occupancy and boating activities on Taal Lake.

On April 10, a minor phreatomagmatic eruption was also logged at Taal Volcano’s main crater, which generated a 200-meter plume on the western and northern rims of the main crater.

In March, two volcanic earthquakes and a volcanic tremor were recorded at the volcano within a 24-hour period that emitted 2,039 tonnes of sulfur dioxide. — JMA, GMA News