Phivolcs reports degassing at Taal; no indication of eruption

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday reported elevated sulfur dioxide degassing at Taal Volcano in Batangas, recording a total of 11,072 tons per day of SO2 emission from the main crater.

Phivolcs noted that Taal Volcano’s average SO2 gas emission was at 8,294 tons/day for the year and has been continuously degassing voluminous concentrations of SO2 since 2021.

Hazy conditions were reported over Alitagtag, Tingloy, San Nicolas, Laurel, Taysan, Lobo and Batangas City and the same was observed during a field survey in Agoncillo, Lemery, Taal, Santa Teresita, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Lipa, Balete and Malvar.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said there is no indication that Taal Volcano will erupt anew despite increased degassing, adding that only one volcanic earthquake was recorded in the last 24 hours.

“There is no fear of a possible eruption. In fact, we only recorded one earthquake yesterday. The degassing caused vog as based on the forecast of PAGASA, there will be a weakening of wind at two meters per second. As a result, the sulfur dioxide will not easily disperse, causing the vog,” Bacolcol stated.

He noted that between June 3 and June 5, no earthquake was recorded.

Phivolcs warned of vog formation over Taal Volcano as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a forecast of a probable weakening of wind in the coming days which may lead to potential SO2 accumulation.

“Prolonged exposure to volcanic SO2 can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. People who may be particularly sensitive are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children,” Phivolcs said.

It advised residents vulnerable to volcanic SO2 to limit exposure, avoid outdoor activities, stay indoors and shut doors and windows to block out volcanic gas.

He also advised the public to wear N95 face masks when going out to protect themselves from the vog.

According to Phivolcs, Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.

It said that entry into Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited.

Kanlaon observation

Bacolcol on Friday said Phivolcs needs to observe the activity of Kanlaon Volcano before deciding whether to increase or decrease the alert level, as they still cannot say whether the restiveness of the volcano in Negros has reached its peak.

“It has only been four days since the Kanlaon Volcano erupted. We really have to check this every day and observe this (for) at least two weeks,” he added.

Bacolcol said the eruption of Kanlaon and the increased activity of Taal in Batangas are not connected.

“There is no connection as there is always a possibility that the restiveness of volcanoes in the country will happen simultaneously,” he said.

Bacolcol said that based on Phivolcs monitoring, there was a decrease in the volcanic earthquakes recorded at Kanlaon compared to when it erupted on June 3.

He added that the haze and sulfur dioxide are confined in Negros Island after reaching as far as Bicol.

Meanwhile, Bacolcol warned residents near Kanlaon Volcano that lahar flow will continue after PAGASA said rains will persist until weekend.

Crop damage

The phreatic explosion of Kanlaon Volcano left about P9.9 million in crop damage as of June 6, according to reports of the Negros Occidental provincial government.

Damaged by ashfall were high-value commercial crops at P8,501,350, rice fields at P1,368,956.35 and P122,250 for corn. — Gilbert Bayoran, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rudy Santos