A minor phreatic eruption was logged at Taal Volcano between 3:01 PM and 3:13 PM on Thursday, July 17, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) announced.
Based on its announcement, the activity occurred at the Taal Main Crater (MCL), consisting of three eruptive events that lasted from four to six minutes. This was based on visual, seismic, and infrasound recordings.
The events were then preceded by a stronger tremor and produced a 2,400-meter plume above the MCL, before it drifted southeast.
In an update, the DOST-PHIVOLCS Chief, Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, Ma. Antonia Bornas clarified that a minor phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at Taal Volcano.
“Ito po ay isang minor phreatomagmatic eruption. Atin pong itinama na ang ating initial post dahil nakita po natin ‘yon tipikal na mga anyo o characteristics ng phreatomagmatic eruption sa nangyari pong event kanina,” she explained.
Bornas explained that a tremor event first occurred before the activity this afternoon, comparing the similarities earlier this month. However, she assured that such events have been normal occurrences since 2021.
“Ang mga ganito pong minor phreatomagmatic o phreatic events ay maaari pong magdulot ng mga volcanic hazards dito po sa Taal Volcano island lamang,” she explained, adding that minor events like small base surges can affect the volcano.
PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview at Balansyado that Taal Volcano continued to be on Alert Level 1 at 5:40 PM.
