The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the status of Taal Volcano to Alert Level 3 early Saturday (March 26) morning following a phreatomagmatic eruption at 7:22 a.m.
Based on the 8:00 a.m. Phivolcs bulletin, the “short-lived” burst was followed by “nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity” that generated plumes estimated to be 1.5 kilometers high.
“This means that there is magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions,” Phivolcs said.
WATCH: View of the main crater of Taal Volcano past 7:00 a.m. today (March 26). The Phivolcs has already raised Alert Level 3 on Taal Volcano following a phreatomagmatic eruption at 7:22 a.m. (📹: Phivolcs) | via Allan Francisco pic.twitter.com/D7w9iOc65b
— PTVph (@PTVph) March 26, 2022
Evacuation is strongly recommended in Taal island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East, Laurel in Batangas Province “due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.”
Entry into the island and in Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited, as well as the activities on Taal Lake.
PANOORIN: Sitwasyon ng Taal Volcano as of 9:39 a.m. Tila naging kalmado muli ang bulkan sa mga oras na ito. | via Patrick de Jesus pic.twitter.com/sBYi4CwuhO
— PTVph (@PTVph) March 26, 2022
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said in the March 26 Laging Handa briefing that there is no evacuation needed in other areas surrounding the Taal Lake.
“Kailangan nilang magsubaybay sa mga nangyayari sa Taal at maging ready kung sakaling magkaroon pa ng escalation,” he said.
“As of 8:59 [a.m.] po, ‘iyon po iyong huling explosion, wala naman pong sumusunod sa kasalukuyan na mga explosions,” he added. AG – bny
