Taal Volcano showing increased activity

MANILA, Philippines — State volcanologists are closely monitoring Taal Volcano in Batangas, which has been showing increased activity since Saturday night.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Taal released at least 5,831 tons per day of sulfur dioxide and an upwelling of hot volcanic fluids has been occurring at the main crater.

In a bulletin issued at 1 p.m. yesterday, Phivolcs said the volcano’s plume emissions reached 3,000 meters high.

“Since 10:30 p.m. of June 3, the volcano showed increased degassing activity and produced voluminous steam-rich plumes that rose 3,000 meters above the Taal Volcano Island,” Phivolcs said.

The plumes produced volcanic smog or vog over the Taal caldera, it said.

The vog blanketed the towns of Agoncillo, Balete, Batangas and Laurel yesterday morning, Phivolcs said.

Experts said the vog, which contains fine droplets of volcanic gas, could irritate the eyes, throat and respiratory tract.

People with asthma and lung and heart diseases as well as the elderly, children and pregnant women should limit their exposures to vog.

“They should stay indoors and shut doors and windows to block out the vog,” Phivolcs said, adding acid rain and volcanic gas emissions can occur in areas where plumes disperse.

Phivolcs said the 5,831-ton average per day of sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal is higher than last month’s average of 3,556 tons.

Experts noticed a short-term inflation on the northwestern sector of the volcano as well as a long-term deflation of the caldera.

It said steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas could occur anytime.

Entry into the volcano island’s permanent danger zone, especially at the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures is prohibited as Alert Level 1 remains hoisted over Taal.

Flying of aircraft close to the volcano’s crater is also not allowed.