Safe to go to Tagaytay amid Taal eruption – Phivolcs

MANILA – The head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday said it's safe to go to Tagaytay despite the recent phreatomagmatic eruption in Taal Volcano.

Phivolcs recorded the eruption in Taal on Saturday, which lasted four minutes and resulted in a short black jetted plume, followed by a steam-rich plume that rose 2,000 meters above the main crater.

“The phreatomagmatic event was likely driven by sudden contact of water with a small branch of shallow magma that has been in place beneath the Taal Main Crater and that has been degassing sustained levels of SO2 (sulfur dioxide) for the past three years,” Phivolcs said in an advisory.

"It's safe to go to Tagaytay. People just need to bring face masks to protect themselves in case of another eruption, or in case of ashfall or sulfur dioxide emission," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said in Monday's episode of Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

He said there was no volcanic earthquake recorded in Taal for the past 24 hours, but there was reported ashfall in Agoncillo, Batangas.

There was also a phreatic eruption on Sunday night, but Bacolcol said it generated a 300-meter-tall plume only.

He reminded the public that entry into the Taal Volcano Island (TVI), Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, remains prohibited.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the TVI.

"Everyone, not just those residing near active volcanoes, must be vigilant and should heed the announcements of Phivolcs and local government units. Don't enter the PDZ," Bacolcol said. (PNA)