As of 8:00 a.m. of January 14, 2020, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a Taal Volcano Bulletin.
According to DOST-PHIVOLCS, the activity of the Taal volcano has been characterized by the continuous eruption of its main crater because of its magmatic and hydrovolcanic activity. Its ongoing eruption produced 500-meter tall lava fountains topped with dark gray steam-laden plumes reaching approximately 2 kilometers tall that distributed ash to the southwest and west of its main crater.
DOST-PHIVOLCS stated that the flashes of volcanic lightning were also observed at the base of the degassing plumes this morning. Since their last update, the heavy ashfall from Taal Volcano’s ongoing continuous activity has recorded fallen on the municipalities of Lemery, Talisay, Taal, and Cuenca, Batangas.
Based on the reports from the Philippine Seismic Network, they have recorded a total of 212 volcanic earthquakes in Taal region as of 2:00 a.m. of January 14. Eighty-one (81) of these volcanic earthquakes were felt with intensities ranging from Intensity I to Intensity V in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Furthermore, the emission of sulfur dioxide was measured at an average of 5,299 tonnes per day on January 13, 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.
The DOST-PHIVOLCS will continually monitor the eruption.
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