Phivolcs records moderate Taal plume emission, 34 volcanic quakes

FILE: Taal Volcano’s beauty and dreamy landscape never fail to amaze. Amid the destruction, Taal’s serenity and calm, as seen from Tagaytay City, are captured in this photo ten days after the eruption on Jan. 12, 2020. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – Taal Volcano had moderate plume emission measuring 300 meters tall and 34 volcanic quakes in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Thursday.

This is the first time that Phivolcs recorded a moderate plume emission, after almost two weeks of weak plume emission and plumes measuring 50 to 100 meters tall have been observed. A weaker eruption is based on the height of the plume coming out of the crater.

Volcanic plume is a column of hot volcanic ash and gas emitted into the atmosphere during an explosive volcanic eruption.

The 34 volcanic quakes, on the other hand, are a bit higher compared to the 32 volcanic quakes recorded the previous day. Volcanic earthquakes are caused by movements or eruptions of magma from the volcano.

Meanwhile, Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 (decreased unrest).

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into Taal Volcano Island and its Permanent Danger Zone must be strictly prohibited.

People are also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall, and minor earthquakes.

A fissure is a linear volcanic vent through which lava erupts, usually without any explosive activity.

The magma intrusion from below causes the fissures to form.