Taal Volcano still on Alert Level 4, more fissures seen

January 15, 2020

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday kept Taal Volcano under Alert Level 4 after it observed ''generally weaker eruption of the main crater'' but it reported new fissures in three municipalities of Batangas. 

In a press briefing, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. said Taal Volcano's ''generally weaker eruption'' within the past 24 hours was  "due to magmatic and hydrovolcanic processes."

Eruption from the main crater produces 1,000 meters high dark gray steam-laden plumes about 1,000 meters high, dispersing ash to the southwest of the main crater, said Phivolcs in its bulletin. 

Solidum said more fissures or the appearance of massive cracks in the ground were seen in several barangays of Lemery, Agoncillo, and San Nicolas. 

These increasing ground fissures were in Sinisian, Mahabang Dahilig, Dayapan, Palanas, Sangalang, Poblacion, Mataas na Bayan in Lemery; Pansipit, Bilibinwang in Agoncillo; Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 3, Poblacion 5, Talisay and Poblacion in San Nicolas. 

"A fissure transected the road connecting Agoncillo to Laurel, Batangas," said the Phivolcs director. 

Solidum explained that the occurence is due to differences in the volcanic activity seen above and below the surface. 

"The activities observed from above is different from the volcanic activity in the ground. The magma is continuously moving upwards at this might lead to dangerous explosove eruption," he added. 

Phivolcs Chief Science Research Specialist Maria Antonia Bornas said fissuring happens when magma creates pressure and erupts from the main crater. 

"The fissures or cracks are connected to the deformities that occurs when the Taal's main crater erupts," said Bornas. 

She also said the fissures were visible when the Taal erupted in 1911. However, the fissuring this time is at a different pace which could mean that a strong explosive eruption is possible. 

"Based on historical accounts, fissures in the mentioned areas already had ground cracking in 1911. Back in 1911, the activities from the fissuring, climactic eruption and to subsidence happened really fast," she said. 

"The pacing this time is different. It is harder to have a prolonged eruption. We will see if the volcano will have a strong explosive eruption," she added. 

Solidum and Bornas advised residents to vacate areas within the 14 kilometer radius from the main crater. People near the fissures were also urged to evacuate since the cracks might grow within the next few hours or days. 

A total of 466 earthquakes have been recorded by the Philippine Seismic Networksince the volcano's first activities in Sundays. From 5 am Tuesday to 5 am of Wednesday, 159 tremors were plotted in which 28 were felt with intensities I - III 

"Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity," said Phivolcs. 

Sulfur dioxide emission on Tuesday was measured at an average of 1686 tonnes/day. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS