Phivolcs warns of Taal Volcano eruption

MANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano may erupt any time following an increase in seismic energy, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has warned.

According to Phivolcs, its monitoring stations have been recording a pronounced increase in real-time seismic amplitude measurements (RSAM) simultaneous with a continuing volcanic tremor over the weekend.

“The sharp increase in RSAM and the lack of observable degassing from the main crater may indicate blockage or plugging of volcanic gas pathways within the volcano, which may lead to short-term pressurization and trigger a phreatic or even a minor phreatomagmatic eruption,” Phivolcs said.

Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven while phreatomagmatic eruptions may include lava.

Phivolcs reminded the public that Alert Level 1, which refers to the threat of “sudden steam-driven, phreatic or minor phreatomagmatic eruptions, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas,” remains hoisted over Taal Volcano.

It advised local government units near the volcano to “continuously prepare for potential recurrence of volcanic sulfur dioxide increases and exposure of their communities and undertake appropriate response measures to mitigate the health impacts of these hazards.”