As of 8:00 a.m. of January 20, 2020, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) posted a Taal Volcano Bulletin.
According to DOST-PHIVOLCS, the activity in the Taal Volcano’s main crater in the past 24 hours has been characterized by “steady steam emission and infrequent weak explosions” that generated ash plumes 500 – 1,000 meters tall and dispersed ash southwest of its main crater.
Based on the reports from the Philippine Seismic Network, they have recorded a total of 714 volcanic earthquakes in Taal region since 1:00 p.m. of January 12. One hundred seventy-four (174) 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 19, 2020 until 6:00 a.m. on January 20, 2020, the Philippine Seismic Network recorded 23 volcanic earthquakes. The intense seismic activity may signify continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, in which this may lead to further eruptive activity.
In addition, the Taal Volcano Network recorded 673 volcanic earthquakes for the past 24 hours, which includes 12 low-frequency earthquakes. According to PHIVOLCS, the Taal Volcano Network can record small earthquakes that were undetectable by the Philippine Seismic Network.
Furthermore, the emission of sulfur dioxide was measured at an average of 4,353 tonnes per day on January 20, 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 high-risk areas as identified in the hazard maps 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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