Philippines Volcano Eruption: Alert Level 4 - Hazardous Eruption Imminent

Philippines volcano eruption: Taal spews HUGE ash column – evacuations as volcano erupts

By NICOLE STINSSON

Towns near Taal Volcano are being evacuated and residents have been taken to safer ground. The Philippines’ volcano monitoring authority PHIVOLCS-DOST has increased the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) to Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent).

In its latest bulletin, PHIVOLCS-DOST said: “This serves as notice for the raising of the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 3 9Magmatic unrest) to Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent).

“As of 5.30pm PST eruptive activity at Taal Volcano Main Crater intensified as continuous eruption generated a 10-15 kilmometre steam-laden tephra column with frequent volcanic lightning that rained we ashfall on the general north as far as Quezon City.

Volcanic tremor was recorded continuously since 11am and two volcanic earthquakes of magnitudes M2.5 and M3.9 were felt at Intensity III in Tagaytay City and Alittagtag, Batangas were recorded at 6.15pm and 6.22pm PST, respectively.”

The Filipino volcano authority also warns a “hazardous explosive eruption is possible with hours to days”.

The agency also advised areas north of Taal volcano to “guard against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall.”

Earlier this morning the status of Taal had been upgraded from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) before just hours later being upgraded to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) at 4pm local time (8am GMT) following the eruption of ash from the volcano.

Resident are being urged to evacuate “due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami”.

Mr Soldium added: "The volcano is inside a bigger crater or basin or bowl, which is why people would have to evacuate horizontally and away from the crater.

“There is water that would be hindering the rapid evacuation and that is why people need to get out of the island as soon as possible.”

Sharing pictures of the giant ash cloud, erupting from Taal, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology tweeted: “Ongoing phreatic explosion at the Main Crater of Taal Volcano.

“Photos taken from installed IP camera monitoring the activity of Taal Volcano.”