TAAL VOLCANO ADVISORY

11 July 2024

06:00 PM 

 

 

This is a notice of elevated sulfur dioxide degassing from Taal Volcano.

 

 

A total of 11,745 tonnes/day of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO₂ gas emission from the Taal Main Crater was measured today, 11 July 2024. Visual monitors show that degassing generated moderate to voluminous plumes that rose 2,400 meters above the Main Crater before being drifted to the general west by strong winds. Taal has emitted an average of 7,777 tonnes/day of SO₂ for the year and has been continuously degassing voluminous concentrations of SO₂ since 2021. PAGASA also forecasts a probable weakening of wind in the coming days which may lead to potential SO₂ accumulation and volcanic smog or vog formation over the Taal region. Prolonged exposure to volcanic SO₂ can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. People who may be particularly sensitive 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 volcanic SO₂, please be mindful of the following:

 

1. Limit your exposure. Avoid outdoor activities, stay indoors and shut doors and windows to block out volcanic gas.

 

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.

 

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still at low-level unrest and should not be interpreted to have ceased the threat of eruptive activity and volcanic hazards. 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. Furthermore, degassing of high concentrations of volcanic SO₂ continues to pose the threat of potential long-term health impacts to communities around Taal Caldera that are frequently exposed to volcanic gas. 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 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 condition and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders.

 

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS