As of 8:00 a.m. of January 18, 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 white to dirty white ash plumes 50 – 600 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 666 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 17, 2020 until 5:00 a.m. on January 18, 2020, the Philippine Seismic Network recorded 32 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 876 volcanic earthquakes, which includes six (6) tremor events and 20 low-frequency earthquakes. Furthermore, the emission of sulfur dioxide was measured at an average of 360 tonnes per day on January 17, 2020, which was consistent with weak plume activity at the Taal volcano’s main crater.
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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