The scenic view of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City, Cavite shown in this photo taken on October 24, 2023. 鈥擬ARLON MALLARI/ CONTRIBUTOR
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A minor phreatic eruption and four volcanic tremors were observed at the Taal Volcano in Batangas in 24 hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
During its observation period released on Friday, Phivolcs said the minor phreatic eruption lasted for 4 minutes, while the recorded four volcanic tremors were one to seven minutes long.
Phivolcs explained that a phreatic eruption occurs when 鈥渨ater beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits.鈥�
Volcanic tremors, on the other hand, are the 鈥渃ontinuous seismic signals with regular or irregular oscillations and low frequencies that can last for more than a minute.鈥�
Meanwhile, the new record showed that Taal emitted around 3,369 tons of sulfur dioxide flux, which is higher than the amount it released on Thursday.
Thursday鈥檚 emission was about 2,997 tons.
READ: Phivolcs: Taal Volcano has minor steam-driven eruption Thursday night
The volcano, meanwhile, generated a 1,500-meter-high plume, which was drifting northwest.
Phivolcs classified the event as a 鈥渧oluminous emission.鈥�
As for the ground formation, the institute noted a 鈥渓ong-term deflation of the Taal Caldera [and] short-term inflation of the southeastern flank of the Taal Volcano Island.鈥�
The state volcanologists warned that the following hazards may occur:
- Steam-driven, phreaticor gas-driven explosions
- Volcanic earthquakes
- Minor ashfalls
- Lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas
Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Taal Volcano, indicating a 鈥渓ow-level unrest.鈥�
However, entry into the Taal Volcano Island or permanent danger zone, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, as well as occupancy and boating on Taal Lake, remain prohibited.
Flying any aircraft close to the volcano is also not allowed./apl