Taal Volcano Erupts Again, Spews Ash 2,800 Meters High; Alert Level 1 Remains

Taal Volcano in Batangas experienced a second minor phreatomagmatic eruption on Tuesday, with ash plumes rising 2,800 meters above the crater, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Phivolcs reported that the eruption was logged at 8:09 p.m. and lasted approximately four minutes based on seismic and thermal observations. The first minor eruption on Tuesday occurred at 2:29 p.m. which lasted for three minutes. “The event produced jets of ash and steam-rich plumes that rose 2800 meters above the crater,” Phivolcs said in a Facebook post. In its daily 24-hour monitoring bulletin, Phivolcs on Tuesday said that the volcano recorded three volcanic earthquakes and two volcanic tremors. The volcano released 142 tons of sulfur dioxide on Monday, which was slightly less than the 318 tons recorded a day prior. A short-term inflation was also observed over the volcano. As it remains under Alert Level 1, which indicates low-level unrest, Phivolcs still prohibited the entry into Taal Volcano Island that is considered as permanent danger zone, especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures, as well as flights in the vicinity of the volcano. It likewise reminded nearby communities of possible hazards such as steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and volcanic gas.