The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday afternoon reported a minor phreatomagmatic eruption at Taal Volcano.
“The event produced a short black jetted plume followed by a steam-rich plume that rose up to 2,400 meters above the Main Crater before drifting northeast based on IP camera monitors,” Phivolcs said in its advisory.
“The background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation detected at Taal indicate that unrest is unlikely to progress into a major magmatic eruption at this time,” it noted further.
Prior to Wednesday’s activity, Phivolcs said a total of 18 phreatic events have been recorded on Taal Volcano since 22 September 2024. The latest eruption lasted 11 minutes beginning at 4:21 p.m. until 4:32 p.m.
The state seismic agency defines ‘phreatomagmatic’ as “very violent eruption due to explosive contact of erupting magma with water.”
It is characterized by a “voluminous, slightly tall ash column (with) laterally-projected pyroclastic currents.”
“The phreatomagmatic event was likely driven by sudden contact of water with a small branch of shallow magma that has been in place beneath the Taal Main Crater and that has been degassing sustained levels of SO2 for the past three years,” Phivolcs explained.
Alert Level 1, indicating low level of volcanic unrest, is raised on Taal Volcano since August 20, 2024. It pertains to a slight increase in volcanic earthquake and steam/gas activity, with sporadic explosions from existing or new vents.
“DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”
