Phreatomagmatic eruption at Taal volcano, ashfall reported in Agoncillo and Laurel, Philippines

A notable phreatomagmatic eruption took place at Taal volcano in Batangas, Philippines, today, driven by the sudden interaction of water with shallow magma beneath the volcano’s Main Crater, where sustained degassing of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) has persisted for 3 years.

The event produced a dark 600 m (2 000 feet) tall jetted plume that subsequently rose 2.8 km (9 200 feet) above Taal Volcano Island (TVI) before drifting west-southwest based on IP camera monitors.

Traces of ash were reported in the towns of Agoncillo (Poblacion) and Laurel (Buso-buso) in the province of Batangas.

The Taal Volcano Network recorded 2 volcanic tremors preceding the eruption, with each lasting 4 minutes. No volcanic smog or rising hot volcanic fluids were seen during the eruption.

Taal has been exhibiting increased volcanic gas emissions and localized ground deformation for the past month although volcanic earthquakes have been at low levels. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) flux on November 30, averaged 7 216 tonnes/day, higher than the monthly average of 5 283 tonnes/day.

Monitoring of the Main Crater Lake earlier in 2024 revealed a temperature of 72.7 °C (162.9 °F) and an acidity level of 0.20 pH as of February 20.

Alert level 1 remains in effect, indicating abnormal conditions. This alert level suggests the possibility of sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, minor phreatomagmatic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and dangerous accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas, according to PHIVOLCS.

“The background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and localized ground deformation detected at Taal indicate that unrest is unlikely to progress into a major magmatic eruption at this time,” PHIVOLCS stated.

PHIVOLCS has said that entering the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) including the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures is prohibited. Civil aviation authorities have been advised to avoid flights near the volcano due to airborne ash hazards. Local government units are asked to monitor community preparedness and mitigate health risks due to volcanic gas exposure.

Taal volcano, one of the Philippines’ most active, is located within the Taal Caldera, measuring 15 km (9.3 miles) in length and 20 km (12.4 miles) in width, and largely filled by Lake Taal.

The lake covers 267 km² (103.1 mi²), with a maximum depth of 0.16 km (525 feet), while eruptions from the 5 km (3.1 miles) wide Volcano Island have produced lethal pyroclastic flows and surges.

The volcano has been under Alert Level 1 since July 11, 2022.

References:

¹ TAAL VOLCANO ADVISORY – PHIVOLCS – December 3, 2024

² Taal Volcano – GVP – December 3, 2024

Rishika Yadav

Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.

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