A weak phreatic or steam-driven eruption was seen at Taal Main Crater on Wednesday morning, May 8, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.
According to PHIVOLCS, the weak phreatic occurred in the morning between 8:27 a.m. and 8:31 a.m., based on visual, seismic, and infrasound records of the Taal Volcano Network (TVN).
"The event produced white steam-laden plumes that rose 2000 meters above the Main Crater before drifting southwest based on IP camera monitors," the PHIVOLCS advisory read.
"Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions have decreased last week and averaged 2,191 metric tons per day on May 6, 2024. Nonetheless, average SO2 emissions since January this year remain high at 8,913 metric tons per day," it noted.
The state seismologist said the phreatic activity is “likely driven” by the continued emission of hot volcanic gasses at the Taal main crater and could be succeeded by similar events.
The agency reminds the public that Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest or the threat of eruptive activity.
Meanwhile, the background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation detected at Taal indicate that unrest is unlikely to progress into a magmatic eruption.
"At Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within TVI," PHIVOLCS said.
"Furthermore, degassing of high concentrations of volcanic SO2 continues to pose the threat of potential long-term health impacts to communities around Taal Caldera that are frequently exposed to volcanic gas," it furthered.
The Department of Science and Technology-PHIVOLS said it is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any of its new significant developments.
