Push Admin

More fissures spotted near Taal volcano as magma activity continues — Phivolcs

Article (news)

Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday said that while Taal volcano is having a &quot;generally weaker eruption&quot; at the main crater, the fissuring of areas around it shows that it is very much active underneath.&quot;It’s the rising of the magma that is causing the fissures,” said Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum during a press conference. “If the rise of magma is continuous, there is higher possibility of activity in Taal Volcano.”<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/14/20/phivolcs-fissuring-cracked-roads-in-batangas-signs-of-rising-magma">READ: Phivolcs: Fissuring, cracked roads in Batangas signs of rising magma</a></li></ul>Phivolcs earlier explained that fissures happen before an eruption as magma rises towards the volcano. This is followed by subsidence as the movement of magma creates empty space. In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, Phivolcs said it recorded 466 volcanic earthquakes since 1 p.m. on January 12. Of that number 156 were of Intensity I to IV.“For volcanic earthquakes, that is strong,” said Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Bornas. “The earthquakes are also generated by the moving magma.”Meanwhile, new fissures or cracks were observed in the villages of Sinisian, Mahabang Dahilig, Dayapan, Palanas, Sangalang, Poblacion, Mataas na Bayan in Lemery; Pansipit, Bilibinwang in Agoncillo; Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 3, Poblacion 5 in Talisay; and Poblacion in San Nicolas.Asked if the new fissures or cracks observed in Batangas were signs that a major or climactic explosion was fast approaching, Bornas said it would be hard to tell.&quot;It is better to observe the earthquakes,” Solidum said, although both earthquakes and fissures are indications of magma movement.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/14/20/from-fissures-to-shockwaves-12-volcanic-hazards-to-watch-out-for">READ: From fissures to shockwaves: 12 volcanic hazards to watch out for</a></li></ul>&quot;If we observe harmonic tremors or continuous earthquakes then it should be close (to a major eruption),” he said.Included in the bulletin was the level of sulfur dioxide emission at 1,686 tons/day as of Tuesday. This is much lower than the 5299 tons/day recorded on Monday, but still higher than usual.&quot;Even if the concentration went down…if it’s more than 500 tonnes per day then it’s still significant,” Solidum said.He also said the sulfur dioxide is not a good gauge of whether an explosive eruption is happening soon since it’s possible that the vent was just blocked. Phivolcs reminded the public that Alert Level 4 is still up, which means that a hazardous explosive eruption is still possible within days or hours. It reminded that there should be no people in the Taal Volcano Island and the high-risk areas within the 14-kilometer radius of the Taal main crater.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday said that while Taal volcano is having a “generally weaker eruption” at the main crater, the fissuring of areas around it shows that it is very much active underneath.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday said that while Taal volcano is having a “generally weaker eruption” at the main crater, the fissuring of areas around it shows that it is very much active underneath.

More fissures spotted near Taal volcano as magma activity continues — Phivolcs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

More fissures spotted near Taal volcano as magma activity continues — Phivolcs

Kristine Sabillo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 15, 2020 11:29 AM PHT

|

Updated January 15, 2020 12:15 PM PHT

Read More:

taal volcano

phivolcs

taal

eruption

volcano

renato solidum

taal

fissure

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.