Taal Volcano not acting up — Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — A weak steam emission was observed from Taal Volcano in Batangas yesterday, but it was not showing an increased level of activity.

Science Undersecretary and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) officer-in-charge Renato Solidum Jr. made the clarification after photos and videos supposedly showing that the volcano was acting up anew went viral.

Solidum said the photos showed only a cloud formation over Batangas.

“It is clear in the picture where the cloud was located. Not on the island,” Solidum told The STAR.

He assured the public that Phivolcs would report any significant change in the behavior or observation of monitored volcanoes.

Aside from the weak steam plume which reached 20 meters, Phivolcs recorded five volcanic earthquakes from Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.

In a radio interview, Solidum said the steam emission is normal.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means there is a low level of volcanic unrest.

However, Phivolcs said sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and expulsion of volcanic gas could occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano island.

Taal, which is located 50 kilometers south of Manila, is the second most active volcano in the country. More than 370,000 people were displaced when it erupted in January.