Taal Volcano on the Verge of Erupting

Yesterday, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or (Phivolcs) warned residents’ living near the Taal Volcano to be ready and observant for it is getting restive and there is a possibility to erupt anytime.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday raised Alert Level 2 over Taal Volcano as it expressed fear of another eruption because of the rising of magma and increased seismic activity.

   “With this alert status, the present activities could eventually lead to an eruption,” Phivolcs said.

   “In view of the observations at Taal Volcano and the interpretation that magma has been intruding toward the surface, as manifested by carbon dioxide being released in its main crater and increase in seismic activity, the volcano’s status is now raised to Alert Level 2,” Phivolcs said in its bulletin issued on Saturday.

Several parameters monitored by Phivolcs have shown that there were significant changes in Taal Volcano’s activity the past week.

   Phivolcs observed that seismic activity at Taal Volcano “continues to worsen” as the number of volcanic earthquakes gradually increased and its depths became shallow.

Likewise, the number of earthquakes felt around the volcano has increased, with intensities that ranged from 2 to 3 and one of them was accompanied by rumbling sounds... (source: mb.com.ph)



 

The eruption of Taal Volcano in the Philippines in 1966 ripped open this channel and built this 300-meter diameter tuff cone on the flank of Volcano Island in just two days. Warned by increasing seismicity and the rising temperature of a small crater lake, many inhabitants of the island evacuated and escaped the deadly pyroclastic surges. About 200 people were killed by the eruption, mainly by tsunamis on Lake Taal, the large caldera lake that surrounds the island.
                                                                                                                                                      Photo copyright R.W. Decker