‘BIG BANG’ LOOMS
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum, Jr. said lava flowed from the main crater of Taal early Monday morning, which is a sign of ongoing movement of magma from beneath the volcano.
Lava fountain, or a spray of hot rocks and gases, was observed in the main crater of Taal Volcano early Monday after its phreatic eruption on Sunday which sent ashes raining on neighboring provinces, reaching as far as Central Luzon.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum, Jr. said lava flowed from the main crater of Taal around 3:20 a.m., which is a sign of ongoing movement of magma from beneath the volcano.
“Nagkaroon ng lava fountaining ang Taal Volcano na talagang definite, may parang apoy na lumalabas sa crater. Ito po ay magma o lava na lumalabas,” Solidum said in an interview.
He added that this lava fountain is part of the expected activity of Taal, and evident in its past history of eruptions.
The recent activity, classified by Phivolcs as magmatic eruption, is characterized by weak lava fountaining accompanied by thunder and flashes of lightning.
Alert level 4 has been raised by Phivolcs over Taal Volcano since Sunday night, meaning a “hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days,” prompting authorities to evacuate at least 7,700 residents in nearby areas as of 6 a.m. Monday.
Taal, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the country located in the province of Batangas, belched steam, ash, and small rocks Sunday morning, which surprised unaware residents and tourists in the area.
The 50,000-feet-tall ash cloud blanketed provinces surrounding the volcano, including parts of Calabarzon, Metro Manila, reaching as far as Central Luzon, particularly in Pampanga, which forced the suspension of flights in the country’s main airports, as well as classes in school, and work government offices.
In the latest bulletin of Phivolcs, it said that ashfall from the ongoing eruption of Taal reportedly affected the city of Tanauan in Batangas; Escala in Tagaytay; Sta. Rosa in Laguna; and Dasmariñas, Bacoor, and Silang in Cavite.
In Bulacan, ashfall were already observed in the cities of Malolos, San Jose Del Monte, and Meycauayan, and also Antipolo, Rizal, Phivolcs added.
Volcanic ashes have also reportedly reached most parts of Metro Manila – Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Marikina, Parañaque, Pasig, Quezon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Taguig and Manila cities.
Larger particles called “lapilli,” measuring two to 64 millimeters in diameter, have reportedly fallen in the areas of Tanauan and Talisay in Batangas; Tagaytay City; and in Nuvali and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
Solidum advised the public to protect their mouth and noses by using N95 grade face masks or wet cloth or towel to prevent inhalation of fine ashfall and its sulfurous smell as this can cause irritation and breathing problems especially among the elderly and children.
Motorists were also urged to drive with extreme caution as wet ash could cause poor visibility and, when wet, could make roads slippery.
Areas in the general north of Taal Volcano were also advised to guard against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall.
Phivolcs also asked civil aviation authorities to order aircrafts avoid the airspace around Taal Volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column pose serious threats.
Taal Volcano entered a period of intense unrest beginning with phreatic or steam-driven activity in several points inside the main crater at 1 p.m. Sunday prior to its magmatic eruption.
While danger level 4 remains in effect over the volcano, Phivolcs reiterated total evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and areas at high risk to pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and volcanic tsunami within a 14-kilometer radius from the volcano’s main crater.
Phivolcs defined PDCs as “mixtures of fragmented volcanic particles (pyroclastics), hot gases and ash that rush down the volcanic slopes or rapidly outward from a source vent at high speeds.”
Volcanic tsunami, on the other hand, is a mass movement of water caused by a volcano; whic can be caused by underwater explosions and shock waves caused by large explosions.
State volcanologists said they are currently watching out for these possible volcanic hazards that Taal can produce as frequent volcanic quakes continued to hit the area of the volcano.
Mariton Bornas, chief of Phivolcs’ Volcano Monitoring, said the Philippine Seismic Network has recorded a total of 75 volcanic earthquakes in Taal region as of 5 a.m., Monday.
Thirty-two of these were felt with intensities ranging from Intensity II to V in Tagaytay City, Cabuyao, Laguna, Talisay, Alitagtag, Lemery and Bauan, Batangas.
“Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity,” Phivolcs added.