Taal Volcano records high gas emissions

THE Taal Volcano is emitting increased sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions resulting in significant volcanic smog or vog, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Saturday.

Still at Alert Level 1, meaning there is low-level unrest, the volcano has recorded a total of 13,572 tons/day of SO2 gas emission from its main crater based on Phivolcs’ 8 a.m. advisory.

“Airborne volcanic gas is expected to be drifted to the general east to the north-northeast of Taal Volcano Island or TVI based on air parcel trajectory data from PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration),” it said.

Phivolcs said gas emission has averaged 7,818 tons a day since July 15, an increase from the average of 1,289 tons/ day between May and mid-July 2022.

“Since the beginning of August 2022, there has been an increase in degassing activity in the form of visible upwelling of volcanic fluids in the main crater lake and emission of voluminous steam-rich plumes that rose 2,800 meters above TVI,” Phivolcs said.

As vog over the Taal Caldera was observed to thicken on Friday, “sulfurous stench was reported by residents of Banyaga, Agoncillo; Poblacion 5, Boso-boso, and Gulod in Laurel; and Poblacion in Talisay, Batangas,” it said.

“Crop damage that likely resulted from acid rain was reported in Cabuyao, Laguna last Aug. 8, 2022,” the agency said.

A total of five shallow volcanic tremor events, three to eight minutes in duration, were recorded in the latest observation period.