Taal Volcano had minor phreatic eruption anew --PHIVOLCS

WATCH

Taal Volcano in Batangas had another minor phreatic eruption at its main crater early on Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

PHIVOLCS shared a sped-up thermal camera footage of the eruption that was recorded at 12:20 a.m.

"The event generated a plume that rose 300 meters above the crater as recorded by the Daang Kastila (VTDK) thermal camera," PHIVOLCS said.

"Alert Level 1 is maintained over Taal Volcano," it added.

Two minor phreatic eruptions at the main crater of Taal Volcano were also recorded on Sunday, October 18.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) a phreatic eruption is a "steam-driven explosion" that happens when magma heats the ground or surface water.

Earlier this month, a minor phreatomagmatic eruption at the main crater occurred, which caused ashfall in the town of Agoncillo.

Minor phreatomagmatic eruptions are small-scale volcanic eruptions resulting from interaction between magma and water.

In its bulletin issued Tuesday covering volcanic events on Monday, PHIVOLCS said Taal Volcano also had one minor phreatic eruption that lasted two minutes long.

Eight volcanic earthquakes including six volcanic tremors were also recorded, lasting six to nine minutes.

Moderate plumes rose up to 600 meters tall before drifting southwest on Monday.

PHIVOLCS reminded the public that entry into Taal Volcano Island which is a Permanent Danger Zone should not be allowed.

Likewise, occupancy and boating on Taal Lake should be prohibited.

Flying aircraft close to the volcano is hazardous to aircraft.

At Alert Level 1 (Low-level Unrest), Taal Volcano poses possible hazards such as:

• steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions;
• volcanic earthquakes;
• minor ashfall; and
• lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.

—KG, GMA News