TAAL VOLCANO ADVISORY

12 October 2023

06:00 PM

 

 

This is a notice of increased and continuous degassing activity from Taal Volcano.

 

A total of 9,762 tonnes/day of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO₂ gas emission from the Taal Main Crater was measured today, 12 October 2023. This is the highest recorded SO₂ emission from Taal for the year. Visual monitors show continued pronounced upwelling of volcanic fluids in the Main Crater that generated rather short and weak to moderate volume degassing plumes. Strong winds drifted the plumes to the southwest, consistent with PAGASA air trajectory forecasts. No volcanic smog or vog over Taal Caldera was observed by visual monitors throughout the day. However, PAGASA forecasts wind speeds over the Taal region to significantly decrease in the coming weekend, and should elevated SO₂ degassing continue, the chances for volcanic SO₂ to accumulate and generate vog would increase. Taal has been continuously degassing high concentrations of volcanic SO₂ since March 2021; emissions since September 2023 have averaged 3,781 tonnes/day.

 

As a reminder, vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as SO₂ which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract with severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure. People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children. For communities that can be affected by vog, please be mindful of the following.

 

1. Limit your exposure. Avoid outdoor activities, stay indoors and shut doors and windows to block out vog.
2. Protect yourself. Cover your nose, ideally with an N95 facemask. Drink plenty of water to reduce any throat irritation or constriction. If belonging to the particularly sensitive group of people above, watch over yourself and seek help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if needed, especially If serious effects are experienced.

 

In addition, acid rain can be generated during periods of rainfall and volcanic gas emission over areas where the plume disperses, causing damage to crops and affecting metal roofs of houses and buildings.

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity. At Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within TVI. DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited. Local government units are advised to continuously monitor and assess volcanic SO₂ and vog exposure of, and potential impacts on, their communities and undertake appropriate response measures to mitigate these hazards.

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders.

 

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS