The light volcanic smog (vog) observed over the Taal Caldera region had "subsided", according to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director Teresito Bacolcol on Thursday, January 11.
"Yes, may na-monitor na vog sa Calaca City, Batangas City, and Balete. Ito ay na-observe na nag-haze yung lugar [....] Nag-subside na, oo," he said in an interview during DZRH Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
Bacolcol explained that the vog was spurred by the rise of sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions.
"As far as long as may steaming activity, may kasama kasi na sulfur dioxide yung steaming acitvity natin, magkakaroon ng vog. Hanggang ngayon, may sulfur dioxide pa rin tayo na me-measure sa Taal volcano. For example, noong January 8, meron tayong 10,933 per day na sulfur dioxide," the PHIVOLCS director said.
Bacolcol noted that no residents were hospitalized due to the vog.
On Wednesday, January 10, PHIVOLCS reported that its Taal Volcano Obervatory-Buco Observation Station observed the occurrence of the vog at 7:52 AM and 12:32 PM
"Voluminous degassing produced a pronounced plume that rose 2400 meters above the Taal Main Crater before drifting to the southwest and south-southwest," it said.
Based on PHIVOLCS' latest bulletin, no volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Taal Volcano.
The SO2 stood at 10,933 tonnes while the plumes reached 2,400 meters tall.
The state seismologist also said that it "observed upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake."
The Taal Volcano remained at Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest.
BULKANG TAAL
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) January 10, 2024
Buod ng 24 oras na pagmamanman
11 Enero 2024 alas-12 ng umaga #TaalVolcano
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