As of 8:00 a.m. of January 16, 2020, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a Taal Volcano Bulletin.
According to DOST-PHIVOLCS, the Taal Volcano erupted short-lived dark gray ash plumes 500 meters high at 6:17 a.m. and 800 meters high at 6:21 a.m. that distributed ash southwest to west of its main crater.
Based on the reports from the Philippine Seismic Network, they have recorded a total of 566 volcanic earthquakes in Taal region since 1:00 p.m. of January 12. One hundred seventy-two (172) of these volcanic earthquakes were registered at magnitudes M1.2 to M4.1 and were felt at Intensity I to Intensity V.
Since 5:00 a.m. on January 15, 2020 until 5:00 AM on January 16, 2020, the Philippine Seismic Network recorded 103 volcanic earthquakes and 14 of these were registered at magnitudes M1.4 -M4.0 and were felt at Intensities I – III. The intense seismic activity may signify continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, in which this may lead to further eruptive activity.
Furthermore, the emission of sulfur dioxide was measured at an average of 4,186 tonnes per day on January 15, 2020.
The alert Level 4 still continued in effect over Taal Volcano, which means, according to DOST-PHIVOLCS, the hazardous explosive eruption will happen within hours to days. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology strongly restated the total evacuation of Taal volcano island as well as areas at high risk to pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami within a 14-km radius from its main crater and along the Pansipit River Valley where fissuring has been observed.
The DOST-PHIVOLCS will continually monitor the eruption.
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