PHIVOLCS Urges Caution Amid Taal Activity, Dismisses Cebu Quake Connection
CEBU QUAKE – A PHIVOLCS volcanologist has clarified that the recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu is not connected to the minor eruptions of Taal Volcano recorded early Wednesday morning.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) clarified that the recent minor eruptions of Taal Volcano have no link to the strong earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday night.
According to Paolo Reniva, resident volcanologist at the Taal Volcano Observatory, two phreatic or steam-driven eruptions were recorded early Wednesday morning.
“[Around] 12:57 a.m. to 1:02 a.m. ‘yun ‘yung unang duration ng pagsabog ng Taal Volcano. Isa siyang phreatic eruption, steam-driven, ibig sabihin ‘yung tubig nagka-contact sa mainit na bato so nag-generate siya ng pagsabog. Nasundan ito ng 2:02 a.m. hanggang 2:15 a.m., so thirteen minutes,” Reniva explained.
Despite these occurrences, there were no reports of ashfall or other harmful effects in nearby towns. “Wala namang report pa na nagkaroon ng abo o anong epekto pa, base doon sa pagsabog. Wala namang reported na naapektuhang communities sa paligid ng Taal Volcano,” he added.
Authorities have maintained Alert Level 1 over the volcano, which indicates low-level unrest. Reniva reminded the public to remain cautious. “Sa ngayon, maintain sa alert level 1 status ‘yung Taal Volcano. Ang pinaka-recommendation diyan is walang mananatili ng matagal o manunuluyan sa Taal Volcano island. Another recommendation is for mga LGUs o communities sa paligid ng Taal Lake na maging handa at sumunod lang sa awtoridad, gaya sa PHIVOLCS,” he said.
Meanwhile, a separate magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook Cebu on Tuesday at 9:59 p.m., with its epicenter located northeast of Bogo City. The quake, tectonic in origin, was unrelated to the activity in Batangas. “‘Yung sa Cebu, hindi naman related sa volcanic activity ng Taal, unang-unang malayo ‘yung lugar, pangalawa tectonic ‘yung earthquakes, ‘yung sa Taal naman, usually ‘yung mga nare-record natin na earthquakes diyan, volcanic, definitely ‘yung source ng activity ng Taal, dito lang, local lang,” Reniva clarified.
Local residents near Taal also shared their experience. “Tumawag sakin ‘yung pamangkin ko, ‘Tay pumutok daw ‘yung bulkan ah! Balewala naman ang mga tao, hindi naman namin naramdaman, walang pagyanig. Kami ay safe dito, wala namang problema,” said Eliezar Mendoza of Talisay, Batangas.
Fe Fernandez, head of the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, also confirmed that no communities were affected by the eruption.
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