Phivolcs warns of thin ashfall after Taal volcano’s minor eruption

MANILA – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a minor phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at the main crater of Taal volcano on Thursday evening, and warned of thin ashfall affecting nearby areas.

The eruption occurred at 06:06 p.m. and lasted at least five minutes, based on seismic and camera recordings from the Taal Volcano Network.

Thin ashfall, Phivolcs said, is expected to affect the southwestern lakeshore towns of Agoncillo, Lemery, San Nicolas, Taal, Batangas and adjacent locations.

The institute said the event produced a dark gray plume that rose 4,000 meters above the crater as recorded by the Main Crater West Rim (VTWR), Daang Kastila (VTDK) and Buco (VTBC) cameras.

Alert Level 1 is maintained over Taal Volcano.