Minor phreatic eruption monitored at Taal Volcano

MANILA, Philippines — State seismology bureau Phivolcs reported on Wednesday, September 25, that a minor phreatic eruption was detected at Taal Volcano.

The agency said the volcano remains at "low-level unrest" or Alert Level 1. 

At 1:59 a.m. on Wednesday, Daang Kastila Observation Station’s (VTDK) thermal camera captured the brief phreatic event from the main crater of Taal Volcano Island. 

A phreatic eruption happens when groundwater comes into contact with hot magma or volcanic rock, causing water to heat up and turn into steam.

This creates pressure beneath the earth’s surface, and when it becomes excessive, it may lead to an explosion.

LOOK: A minor phreatic eruption from Taal Volcano Island's Main Crater at 1:59 AM today, 25 September 2024, was captured by the thermal camera of the Daang Kastila Observation Station (VTDK). Locally called as "pusngat," the event produced a 600-meter-high eruption plume that… pic.twitter.com/s9ViXQxoVF

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) September 25, 2024

This resulted in an eruption plume, a mixture of ash, steam and volcanic gases that reached heights of 600 meters, or nearly 2,000 feet. Phivolcs reported that the wind carried the plume, causing it to drift southwest.

According to its midnight bulletin on Wednesday, the Taal Volcano emits 4,899 tonnes of sulfur dioxide a day. The state seismology bureau has also observed “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake.”

BULKANG TAAL
Buod ng 24 oras na pagmamanman
25 Setyembre 2024 alas-12 ng umaga #TaalVolcano

Filipino: https://t.co/HYiDjJIw4b

English: https://t.co/zWzeN2ubcc pic.twitter.com/767o0DDK3h

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) September 24, 2024

This means that volcanic materials, such as magma or hot water, are moving beneath the earth’s surface, which may signal potential eruptions. 

Phivolcs advised the public to avoid entering the permanent danger zone of Taal Volcano Island, specifically the Main Crater, Daang Kastila fissures and areas for boating around Taal Lake. 

Possible hazards include phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.