THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday said Taal Volcano’s phreatic or steam-driven eruptions over the weekend were expected.
In a radio interview, Philvocs director Teresito Bacolcol noted that they have recorded some 80 phreatic eruptions from Taal Volcano, which has been under Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest since April last year.
“It’s normal (for the volcano) to have phreatic eruptions for as long you have the right ingredients,” said Bacolcol. “What’s needed here is water and hot volcanic materials. It could be hot volcanic gases or hot volcanic rocks.
“What happened last February 15 and 16 are not unique…Since April last year, we had more than 80 phreatic eruptions and four phreatomagmatic eruptions,” the Phivolcs chief added.
The phreatomagmatic eruption is caused by the interaction of water with magma.
Bacolcol said there is a possibility Taal will have more phreatic eruptions.
“For as long we have the right ingredients, we have water and hot volcanic materials, it could be hot volcanic gases or hot volcanic rocks, there is a possibility these will be repeated,” said Bacolcol.
He said even at Alert Level 0, there is a possibility of a phreatic or phreatomagmatic eruption.
The phreatic eruptions on Saturday and Sunday produced plumes as high as 900 meters. There was no ashfall in towns surrounding Taal.
Bacolcol reiterated his reminder to the public not to go to Taal Volcano Island “because the whole volcano island is a permanent danger zone and anytime there is possibility of phreatic or phreatomagmatic eruptions.”
