Manila: Taal Volcano, about 130km south of the Philippine capital, experienced a steam-driven or phreatic eruption early Tuesday morning (December 3, 2024), according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
The eruption occurred at 5:58 am, catapulting a plume of steam and ashes rising 2,800 metres into the sky, directed toward the southwest.
Despite showing signs of unrest, Taal Volcano is “unlikely” to have a major magmatic eruption at this time, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Experts reported that the volcanic activity, including earthquakes and slight ground movements, suggests low risk for a large-scale eruption.
Located in the province of Batangas, south of Manila, the volcano is the second most active volcano in the Asian country.
Ashfall
Ashfall was reported in parts of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas, about 80 km south of Manila, as noted in a statement from OCD-Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas Rizal-Quezon).
Volcanologists said the eruption likely happened due to water interacting with shallow magma in the crater.
For the past three years, Taal’s main crater has been releasing volcanic gases, and sulfur dioxide emissions remain high, averaging 7,216 tons per day.
Monitoring
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) promptly informed the public via SMS alerts, advising residents to stay tuned for updates.
Volcanologists confirmed that the six-minute phreatic eruption happened as underground or surface water interacts with magma or hot rocks, producing steam-driven explosions.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge caution in surrounding areas.
