Taal Volcano erupts, October 2, 2024. Courtesy: Edmundo Cuadro Jr.

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Taal Volcano erupted on Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. 

The phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at the Taal Volcano at 4:21 p.m. on Wednesday, Phivolcs said.

In an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo, Phivolcs director Toto Bacolcol said it lasted for more than 10 minutes. 

"Puwedeng nag-shift towards a deeper part of water kaya nagkaroon tayo ng phreatomagmatic eruption. This is not the first time na it happened. This happened in October 2022, and March 2022 po," Bacolcol said. 

They have not tallied any volcanic earthquakes prior to the eruption, although steam shot up as high as 200 meters. 

This type of eruption, according to Phivolcs, is a "violent eruption due to explosive contact of erupting magma with water." 

It is also characterized by a voluminous and slightly tall ash column and base surges.

READ: Taal Volcano belches 2.4-kilometer steam plume

MORE WEAK ERUPTIONS POSSIBLE

"Batay sa seismic signal, kinumpara po kasi natin ang signal nito doon sa mga nakalipas na phreatomagmatic events noong 2021 at2022, nakita natin na medyo kahawig siya noong March 2022… Ang difference lang po kasi noong 2021-2022, marami tayong low-frequency volcanic earthquake at tremors swarm sa taas, hindi nga po siya tumatahan, kahit kabit po,” Bornas said.

[Based on the seismic signal, when we compared it with the signals from previous phreatomagmatic events in 2021 and 2022, we found similarities to those in March 2022. The only difference is that during the 2021-2022 period, there were numerous low-frequency volcanic earthquakes and tremor swarms]

More weak eruptions could still occur at Taal Volcano.

"Sa palagay namin, medyo matagal na rin kasing may mga pagpusnat diyan sa Taal, it is common, kaya po naka naka alert level 1 pa tayo, mataas pa rin ang buga ng volcanic gas, at anytime po talaga puwede po tayong magkaroon ng explosive eruption, mga minor events," said Bornas.

[Minor eruptions have been happening in Taal for quite some time, which is common. That's why we remain under Alert Level 1. There is still a significant emission of volcanic gas, and an explosive eruption, though minor, could happen at any time.]

Despite this, PHIVOLCS says, the public need not worry about a major eruption.

"The test of the parameters ng Taal katulad ng seismicity, bilang po ng lindol, pamamaga ng bulkan, medyo wala naman na. Background level na po siya kaya alam natin na hindi ito mag-eescalate batay sa datos into a major episode or unrest na naman katulad noong 2020," said Bornas.

[The current parameters of Taal, such as seismicity, earthquake count, and the swelling of the volcano, have reduced to background levels. This indicates that it is unlikely to escalate into a major episode or unrest similar to 2020.]

Residents near the volcano as well as the general public are urged to limit their exposure to volcanic smog. Protecting oneself can include the use of N95 masks or gas masks and drinking lots of water to avoid irritation of airways. 

Located some 50 kilometers south of Manila, Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, and minor ashfall are possible. Entry into Taal Volcano Island is banned.

In August, thousands of people were warned to stay indoors and many schools were shut due to vog or volcanic smog from Taal.

Earthquakes and volcanic activity are not uncommon in the Philippines due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide deep below the Earth's surface. - Reports from Jeffrey Hernaez, Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News

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