By NG Seruela
In today’s (July 2) Laging Handa public briefing, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. said Alert Level 3 has been raised over Taal Volcano due to the interaction between the magma and water along Taal’s main crater that is causing its explosions or phreatomagmatic eruptions.
“[Ito po ang] pag-interact ng magma at tubig. Ito po ay nangangahulugan na ang magma ay nasa ibabaw na parte ng bulkan,” he explained.
Solidum cautioned 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.
“Marami pong materyales na dala ang magma, na kapag ganyan ang pagsabog, ay pwede pong kumilos palayo sa crater ang pyroclastic density current o base surge na pwedeng tumawid sa lawa kung mas malaki pa ang eruption,” he said.
Based on the agency’s recent data, Taal Volcano had five explosions where the biggest eruption was one kilometer while the others only reached 200 meters. As of 5:00 a.m. today, Phivolcs recorded 16 volcanic earthquakes in the area.
Solidum said the earthquakes are not felt by the residents, which means Taal’s activities are not yet “intensified.”
“Mayroon po tayong na-i-record kahapon na 28 volcanic earthquakes, pero hindi naman po ito nararamdaman ng mga tao. Ibig sabihin, hindi pa masyado intensified ang activity ng Taal,” he said.
He added that since February, the magma has been at the shallow part of the volcano which emits plenty of gas. Solidum explained that it is better that way because this reduces the pressure inside the volcano, thus preventing explosive eruptions.
“Magmula po noong Pebrero, ang magma na nasa mababaw na parte ay maraming gas na nailabas. Mas maigi ‘yan para mabawasan ang pressure na nasa loob at maiwasan ang explosive eruptions,” he explained.
Solidum added that they are not expecting Taal Volcano to erupt as strongly as the eruption last year. However, he warned that it is still a possibility.
“Nandiyan po ang posibilidad [na sumabog ng malakas ang Taal] pero nandiyan na po ang magma sa ibabaw na parte, hindi po namin inaasahan na kasing lakas ng last year [ang pagsabog].”
Meanwhile, the Phivolcs chief ordered the evacuation of residents living within seven kilometers of Taal Volcano Island.
“’Yung evacuation natin ay restricted lang doon sa apat na barangay at partly ng isang barangay. So hindi naman po buong paligid ng Taal Volcano ang [pinalikas],” he said. – jlo
