MANILA -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
(Phivolcs) on Thursday said the activity in the main crater of Taal Volcano for
the past 24 hours has been characterized by "weak to moderate" emission
of white steam-laden plumes 50 to 500 meters high.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 141 tonnes
per day.
However, Phivolcs said Alert Level 4 still remains in effect over Taal
Volcano. This means that hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours
to days.
The Taal Volcano Network, which can record small earthquakes
undetectable by the Philippine Seismic Network (PSN), recorded 467 volcanic
earthquakes including eight low-frequency earthquakes for the past 24 hours.
Phivolcs said such intense activity likely signifies continuous
magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive
activity.
Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) wind forecast, if the eruption plume remains
below five kilometers, ash will drift to the municipalities west and northwest
of the main crater.
However, if a major eruption occurs during the day and the eruption
column exceeds seven kilometers, ash will also drift over some parts of Laguna
and Quezon provinces.
As such, residents around the volcano are advised to guard against the
effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall.
Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid the
airspace around Taal Volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the
eruption column pose hazards to aircraft.
Phivolcs reiterates total evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and
high-risk areas as identified in the hazard maps within the 14-km. radius from
Taal main crater and along the Pansipit River Valley where fissuring has been
observed. (PNA)
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