The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday (July 1) raised Alert level 3 over the Taal Volcano due to “magmatic intrusions” or the interaction between the magma and water along Taal’s main crater that is causing its explosions or phreatomagmatic eruptions.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. warned that the phreatomagmatic eruption can lead to pyroclastic density current or base surge that can cross the lake if a bigger eruption is to happen.
With this, the Department of Health (DOH) advised the public on what to prepare in case of a volcanic eruption. The department said that the following must be part of one’s emergency bag:
FOOD
- Food that last for quite a long time such as biscuits, crackers, cookies, cereals,
canned goods, and cup noodles
- 3 pieces of 1.5 liter water, instant coffee, or tea
- Utensils
- Plastic bag
TOILETRIES
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash
- Sanitary napkin (for women)
- Soap, shampoo, and conditioner
- Hand sanitizer and alcohol
- Insect repellent and sunblock
SURVIVAL KIT
- Pocket knife with a can opener
- Flashlight or penlight, matches or lighter (the lighter must be in a ziplock bag)
- Rope, fishhook, and line
- Whistle or any thing that can make loud sounds
FIRST AID KIT
- Band aid and sterile gauze
- Micropore tape
- Povidone iodine at alcohol
- Ointment for wounds
- Mefenamic acid at Paracetamol
- Maintenance medication (if needed)
PPEs and Technical objects
- Safety goggles, dust mask, N95 mask, surgical gloves, raincoat, or poncho
- Small radio, batteries, powerbank, charger, and extension cord
Clothing and Beddings
- Lightweight shoes or slippers
- Jacket
- Blanket and sleeping bag
- Clothes that will last for two to three days
The evacuation process
- Immediately evacuate the area once recommended, and take your emergency bag of essential items
- Follow designated evacuation routes and emergency plan
- Bring your pets, and some food and water supplies for them
- Stay inside a safe evacuation facility and observe minimum public health standards
- Listen to news through available media such as radio, television, cellphone
- Ensure proper facility ventilation and cleanliness
- Ensure clean drinking water supply, and avoid leaving food that spoils easily
The following measures are also recommended to prevent possible health hazards due to smog and ashfall:
Avoiding poisonous sulfur dioxide exposure
- Remain indoors and close windows and doors, especially when located in high-risk areas
- Always wear face mask and protective gear for the eyes and skin
- Contact poison control centers in case of exposure through the following hotlines:
– 09218832633 or 043-7408307 loc 1104 for Batangas Medical Center Poison Control Center;
– 09232711183 or (02) 89211212 for East Ave. Medical Center Toxicology Referral and Training Center
– 09667189904, 09228961541, or (02) 85241078 for UP National Poison Management and Control Center
Avoiding ashfall health threat:
- Avoid inhaling ash by wearing a dust mask or N95 mask, and goggles and other protective equipment for eyes and skin
- Remain indoors, together with your pets, and close windows and doors
- Hang wet clothes or curtains to prevent entry of ash
- Clean the ash on your roof and in your backyard with water to prevent it from being carried by air
- Follow road and road safety measures
The alert status raised over the Taal Volcano ranges from zero to five. These are the various specific criteria and interpretations of the alert levels raised over the Taal Volcano by the Phivolcs.
| Alert Level | Criteria | Interpretation |
| 0 | Background, quiet | No eruption in foreseeable future. |
| 1 | Low level seismicity, fumarolic, other activity | Magmatic, tectonic or hydrothermal disturbance; no eruption imminent. |
| 2 | Low to moderate level of seismicity, persistence of local but unfelt earthquakes. Ground deformation measurements above baseline levels. Increased water and/or ground probe hole temperatures, increased bubbling at Crater Lake. | A) Probable magmatic intrusion; could eventually lead to an eruption.
B) If trend shows further decline, volcano may soon go to level 1 |
| 3 | Relatively high unrest manifested by seismic swarms including increasing occurrence of low frequency earthquakes and/or harmonic tremor (some events felt). Sudden or increasing changes in temperature or bubbling activity or radon gas emission or crater lake pH. Bulging of the edifice and fissuring may accompany seismicity. | A) If the trend is one of increasing unrest, hazardous eruption is possible within days to weeks.
B) If trend is one of decreasing unrest, volcano may soon go to level 2 |
| 4 | Intense unrest, continuing seismic swarms, including harmonic tremor and/or “low frequency earthquakes” which are usually felt, profuse steaming along existing and perhaps new vents and fissures. | Hazardous eruption is possible within days |
| 5 | Base surges accompanied by eruption columns or lava fountaining or lava flows. | Hazardous eruption in progress. Extreme hazards to communities west of the volcano and ashfall on downwind sectors. |
Meanwhile, the Palace asked the residents in the area near the volcano lake to “remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, and cooperate with their local authorities should the need for evacuation arise.” -rir
