A phreatic burst was recorded in Taal Volcano in Batangas province but Alert Level 1 will remain hoisted, the state seismologist said on Thursday, June 29.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the phreatic burst occurred from 12:54 PM to 12:56 PM, lasting 1 minute and 8 seconds long.
Phivolcs said the phreatic burst rose 250 meters from the Taal main crater.
“Phreatic burst happens when a hot material comes into contact with water, producing steam,” it said.
The burst was observed through the agency’s IP camera.
Meanwhile, Phivolcs’ latest bulletin issued Friday, showed that Taal Volcano had 9 volcanic earthquakes including 5 volcanic tremors with 2 minutes long.
The volcano also emitted 7,480 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux since June 28 and a plume that reached 2,400 meters tall before it drifted toward the southwest and northeast.
The state seismologist observed short-term inflation of the western Taal Volcano Island while long-term deflation of the Taal Caldera.
Phivolcs retained Alert Level 1 over Taal Volcano due to low-level of unrest.
It is still prohibiting the entry into Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) of Taal Volcano Island, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures.
Boating in the Taal Lake is also strictly not allowed.
