The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reiterated Thursday that there is a high probability of hazardous eruption of Taal volcano.
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Phivolcs stressed the ‘state of abnormality’ of Taal volcano prevails as the magma moved up near the surface.
“Itong condition ng Taal Volcano can change. Lalo na ang bagong magma sa ilalim ay umakyat na sa ibabaw,” Philvocs director Renato Solidum said during a press briefing.
“The risk will always be there. Base sa pag-aaral namin, kahit hindi masyadong malaki ang pagsabog, pwede pa rin mangyari ang base surge,” he added.
The state volcanologist said the sulfur dioxide emission of Taal remains unpredictable, but the incidence of volcanic earthquakes is decreasing.
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Earlier Taal spewed a weak to moderate white steam-laden plumes 50 to 500 meters high from the Main Crater that drifted southwest.
As of January 23, 2020, sulfur dioxide emission was measured at an average of 141 tons per day.
Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Mariton Bornas said there are many scenarios possible for Taal’s unrest.
“Binabantayan namin kung anong gagawin ng nakaipon na magma doon na naghihintay o naka-abang sa ilalim ng bulkan,” Bornas referred to the movements of magma beneath the Taal’s surface.
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Alert level 4 remains in effect a week after Taal’s phreatic explosion on January 12.
