Weak plume emission, 31 volcanic quakes recorded in Taal

FILE: Aerial shot of Taal Volcano on board a Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) UH-1 Huey helicopter on Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2020) during the PAF and Joint Task Force-Taal aerial reconnaissance at Taal Volcano. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Weak plume emission measuring 50 to 100 meters was observed in Taal Volcano for the past few days, while 31 volcanic quakes were recorded for the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday.

Volcanic plume is a column of hot volcanic ash and gas emitted into the atmosphere during an explosive volcanic eruption. A weaker eruption is based on the height of the plume coming out of the crater.

The volcanic quakes have slightly increased to 31, compared to the previous day’s 28.

Volcanic earthquakes are caused by movements or eruptions of magma from the volcano, unlike tectonic quakes which are caused by fault movements.

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

Phivolcs said entry into Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, must be strictly prohibited. The public is 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.