Steam-driven eruption observed in Taal Volcano

Taal Volcano (Arianne Lacanilao/PCI Photo)

MANILA – Steam-driven or phreatic eruption was observed at the Taal Main Crater early Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

In an advisory shared shortly before 10 a.m., the Phivolcs said the eruption was recorded between 5:11 a.m. to 5:24 a.m. and has produced a 2,400-meter plume.

This was likely driven by the continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal Main Crater, and could be succeeded by similar phreatic activity, the advisory added.

Taal Volcano’s sulfur dioxide (S02) emission averaged 9,677 tons on April 11. The S02 emission has been consistently high, averaging 10,248 tons per day since January 2024.

Phivolcs, meanwhile, said background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation detected at the volcano indicate that unrest is unlikely to progress into magmatic eruption.

Taal Volcano is still on Alert Level 1, indicating an abnormal condition.

Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island (TVI) – Taal’s permanent danger zone.

Degassing of high concentrations of volcanic SO2 continues to pose a threat of potential long-term health impacts to communities around Taal Caldera that are frequently exposed to volcanic gas.

As such, Phivolcs reiterated that entry into TVI, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited.

Local government units are also advised to continuously monitor and assess the preparedness of their communities and undertake appropriate response measures to mitigate hazards that could be posed by long-term degassing and related phreatic activity.

Aviation authorities are likewise advised to tell pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft.