MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) to Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent).
"This means that hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days," the bulletin released at 7:30 p.m. reads.
As of 5:30 p.m., eruptive activity at the volcano's main crater intensified as continuous eruption generated a tall 10-15 kilometer steam-laden tephra column with frequent volcanic lightning that rained wet ashfall on the general north as far as Quezon City.
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Volcanic tremor was also recorded continuously since 11:00 a.m. and two volcanic earthquakes of magnitudes 2.5 and 3.9 were felt at Intensity III in Tagaytay City and Alitagtag, Batangas were recorded at 6:15 and 6:22 p.m., respectively.
"DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly reiterates total evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and additional evacuation of areas at high risk to pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami within a 14-kilometer radius from Taal Main Crater."
In addition, Phivolcs also advised areas in the general north of Taal Volcano to guard against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall.
The state volcanology bureau also said that civil aviation authorities must advise aircraft to avoid the airspace around Taal Volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column pose hazards to aircraft.
Volcanic earthquake activity has been observed from Taal since March 26, 2019, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. The active volcano last erupted in 1977.
— The Summit Express
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| Photo taken from installed IP camera monitoring the activity of Taal Volcano | via PHIVOLCS-DOST |
As of 5:30 p.m., eruptive activity at the volcano's main crater intensified as continuous eruption generated a tall 10-15 kilometer steam-laden tephra column with frequent volcanic lightning that rained wet ashfall on the general north as far as Quezon City.
SEE ALSO: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions on Monday, January 13, 2020
Volcanic tremor was also recorded continuously since 11:00 a.m. and two volcanic earthquakes of magnitudes 2.5 and 3.9 were felt at Intensity III in Tagaytay City and Alitagtag, Batangas were recorded at 6:15 and 6:22 p.m., respectively.
"DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly reiterates total evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and additional evacuation of areas at high risk to pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami within a 14-kilometer radius from Taal Main Crater."
In addition, Phivolcs also advised areas in the general north of Taal Volcano to guard against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall.
The state volcanology bureau also said that civil aviation authorities must advise aircraft to avoid the airspace around Taal Volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column pose hazards to aircraft.
Volcanic earthquake activity has been observed from Taal since March 26, 2019, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. The active volcano last erupted in 1977.
— The Summit Express
