By Ma. Cristina Arayata
MANILA – The public is advised to take precaution against possible volcanic smog (vog) formation from the Taal Volcano.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded a recent sharp increase in the volcano’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission, indicating fluid movement or gas changes.
According to Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol, Taal Volcano’ s SO2 emission measured 450 tonnes on Aug. 27, but increased to 4,514 tonnes on Aug. 30.
The tenfold increase, he said, may be attributed to the sudden release of larger volumes of volcanic gas from magma due to pressure or fluid movement beneath the volcano.
“This does not mean that an eruption will occur immediately. The public, however, should be aware that SO2 could produce vog which can be harmful to health,” Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Tuesday.
Taal Volcano is still under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.
Bacolcol said Phivolcs does not have a new SO2 measurement because it is rainy and SO2 easily dissipates when it rains.
As for the other parameters such as volcanic earthquakes, Bacolcol said these have decreased.
For the past 24 hours or from midnight of Sept. 1 to midnight of Sept. 2, he said Phivolcs recorded only three volcanic earthquakes. In contrast, there were 11 volcanic earthquakes on Aug. 30 and 31.
The public is advised to refrain from entering the Taal Volcano Island due to threats of sudden steam-driven or weak phreatomagmatic eruptions, Bacolcol said. (PNA)
