PHIVOLCS: Sulfur Dioxide Emission Spikes In Taal Volcano
PHIVOLCS – PHIVOLCS recently said in their latest bulletin that the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted from Taal Volcano has increased again.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the sulfur dioxide emission is observed to indicate the upward movement of magma to the surface.
According to GMA News, as of January 15, the emission was at an average 4,186 tonnes per day. This is higher than the average 1,686 tonnes per day recorded on January 14.
Mariton Bornas, the institute’s Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief said that the presence of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere indicates the magma’s movement.
“Humihiwalay kasi ‘yung sulfur dioxide kapag nasa malapit na sa bunganga ng bulkan ‘yung umaakyat na magma. Kapag nasa malalim, naka-dissolve pa ‘yan sa magma, hindi pa ‘yan makahiwalay,”
At 6:17 AM to 6:21 AM on Thursday, the volcano generated short-lived dark gray ash plumes, which are about 500 meters and 800 meters high, respectively. Ashes were dispersed to the southwest to west areas of the main crater.
As per the report, from 5 AM Wednesday to 5 AM Thursday, about 103 volcanic tremors were recorded, with 14 of them with magnitudes one to four were felt at Intensity I to III.
This adds up to a total of 566 plotted volcanic earthquakes ever since its initial eruption on Sunday afternoon.
“Such intense seismic activity likely signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity,”
The volcano is still under Alert Level 4. This could mean hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.
The institute repeated that total evacuation of the volcano island, especially in high-risk areas, is a must.
The institute also urged residents around Taal to take precautionary measures against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall.
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