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Stay out of Taal danger zone, Phivolcs says with volcano in 'lull'

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Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The &quot;lull&quot; in activity at Taal could both point to waning activity or a &quot;resting phase&quot; before a fresh cycle of explosive activity, Phivolcs said Thursday, as it urged people to stay out of the danger zone.An explosive eruption could trigger a &quot;base surge&quot; -- a current of ash, rocks and hot gas that looks like an atomic bomb explosion. Such an event has killed people in the past since the debris can reach as far as the lakeshore, said Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Mariton Bornas.A base surge is impossible to outrun and there is no telling when it could happen, she said, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology kept Taal under Alert Level 4, the second highest.Tens of thousands have evacuated from a 14-kilometer &quot;danger zone&quot; around the Taal and several towns were placed on lockdown since the volcano erupted Sunday and blanketed large parts of Southern Luzon and Metro Manila in ash.&quot;The lull is either a good or a bad thing. Kasi kung derederetso yan good yan. Pwede tayo magstand down (If this continues, we can stand down),&quot; said &quot;Pero kung medyo mahaba yan at ito ay resting phase lang sa bulkan para pumasok sa bagong cycle ng explosive activity, napakahirap sa ating mga kababyan nyan,&quot; she said.(But if it drags and it becomes just a resting phase for the volcano to enter a new cycle of explosive activity, then it’ll be hard for our countrymen.)<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">From fissures to shockwaves: 12 volcanic hazards to watch out for</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/15/20/more-fissures-spotted-near-taal-volcano-as-magma-activity-continues-phivolcs">More fissures spotted near Taal volcano as magma activity continues: Phivolcs</a></li></ul>Prolonged volcanic activity, like the 7-month eruption of Taal in 1754, does not necessarily mean that the eruption will be strong or explosive, she said.On Thursday authorities said some evacuees would be allowed to return to their homes only to check on their animals and property. Bornas declined to comment on evacuation, calling it a &quot;political decision.)Data will determine whether or not the Phivolcs will lower Alert Level 4, she said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/15/20/phivolcs-cleans-up-ash-covered-instruments-sets-up-new-stations-near-taal-volcano">Phivolcs cleans up ash-covered instruments, sets up new stations near Taal Volcano</a></li></ul>Phivolcs director Renato Solidum earlier said that the activity on the surface of the volcano should not be taken as an exact reflection of the activity underneath.Ash plumes some 500 to 800 meters high were observed on Taal, Philvocs said early Thursday. It also noted continued earthquakes and fissures or cracks in areas around the volcano.A total of 566 volcanic earthquakes have been monitored since the Jan. 12 eruption. Of this number 172 are of magnitude 1.2 to 4.1 and were felt at Intensities I to V.The earthquakes, fissures and the absence of water from the crater lake and the Pansipit River that drains from it could point to an &quot;uplift&quot; or movement of magma underground, Bornas said.Many villages in Lemery, Agoncillo, Talisay and San Nicolas showed signs of ground fissuring because of this, she said.Phivolcs said sulfur dioxide emissions was at 4,186 tons per day on Thursda, higher than the day before but slightly lower than Sunday.Sulfur dioxide is only detected when magma is about to reach the surface of the volcano, Phivolcs said. However, lower emissions could also just mean that vents are blocked.

The "lull" in activity at Taal could both point to waning activity or a "resting phase" before a fresh cycle of explosive activity, Phivolcs said Thursday, as it urged people to stay out of the danger zone.

The "lull" in activity at Taal could both point to waning activity or a "resting phase" before a fresh cycle of explosive activity, Phivolcs said Thursday, as it urged people to stay out of the danger zone.

Stay out of Taal danger zone, Phivolcs says with volcano in 'lull'

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Stay out of Taal danger zone, Phivolcs says with volcano in 'lull'

Kristine Sabillo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 16, 2020 12:24 PM PHT

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Taal Volcano

Phivolcs

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