Taal Volcano’s seismic energy release still elevated

By Ma. Cristina Arayata, Philippine News Agency

A minor phreatic eruption occurred at the summit crater of Taal Volcano at 4:33 p.m. on Thursday, generating white plumes that reached 300 meters above the crater. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Taal Volcano’s seismic energy release is still elevated, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday.

The RSAM (real-time seismic amplitude measurement) of Taal Volcano has not returned to background level since high seismic energy release was reported last month, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency.

A minor phreatic eruption occurred at the summit crater of Taal Volcano at 4:33 p.m. on Thursday, generating white plumes that reached 300 meters above the crater.

The eruption, which was a result of water coming into contact with hot volcanic materials such as hot volcanic gases or hot rocks, lasted for two minutes.

“We need to monitor volcanic gases, which may become vog (volcanic smog), which is detrimental to health,” Bacolcol said.

In case people notice a sulfuric smell, they should wear face masks to cover their mouth and nose, he added.

RSAM is a measure of the total seismic energy of ground vibrations at a volcano. Seismic energy is the energy released by the Earth during geological processes from the sudden movement or fracturing of rocks underground, caused by built-up stress along faults or by magma movement beneath a volcano.

Bacolcol said that residents should be reminded that the volcano is still under Alert Level 1.

The public is advised to refrain from entering the Taal Volcano Island, which is the permanent danger zone.

“The possibility of sudden phreatic or even phreatomagmatic eruption is still possible,” Bacolcol said.