MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned the public yesterday of another phreatic or steam-driven eruption of Taal Volcano as it continued to record a high number of volcanic quakes.
Phivolcs said 69 tremors were recorded in the past 24 hours while a weak emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 20 meters high was observed.
Science Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said there is an increasing possibility of another phreatic eruption similar to what occurred on Jan. 12 last year.
“This danger will affect the Volcano Island for now... People living around Taal, in the mainland, there is no current threat on you. What is prohibited is going to the Volcano Island,” Solidum said.
Volcano Island was declared a “no man’s land” after Taal’s phreatomagmatic eruption last year.
More than 300,000 people were affected while ashfall reached as far as Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon and Ilocos.
On Tuesday, around 200 residents of Volcano Island were evacuated from their homes as the volcano showed signs of activity again.
Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chief Lito Castro said security patrol in Taal Lake would be intensified to prevent residents from returning to their homes on Volcano Island.
Castro said Coast Guard and police personnel as well as representatives from the local government would monitor the area.
Talisay police chief Capt. Llewelyn Reyes said most of those evacuated on Tuesday are fishpen caretakers. – Arnell Ozaeta