Jamaine Punzalan

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<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPHIVOLCS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0f4JCDvNXD1FxzZvynRvocPJJeXAU66qNaBQnyTt2Qo1fhA8gr4Grx2oHa3K65rHyl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="383" style="border:none;overflow:hidden;--darkreader-inline-border-top:none;--darkreader-inline-border-right:none;--darkreader-inline-border-bottom:none;--darkreader-inline-border-left:none" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" data-darkreader-inline-border-top="" data-darkreader-inline-border-right="" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom="" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>(UPDATED) A minor phreatomagmatic eruption occurred on Thursday, July 17, at the Taal Volcano main crater, prompting warnings from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for the public to stay away from the volcano island due to potential hazards.</p><p> According to Maria Antonia Bornas, chief science research specialist of Phivolcs’ Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (MEPD), the eruption recorded between 3:01 p.m. and 3:13 p.m., consisting of three explosive events that produced a plume rising approximately 2,400 meters and drifting southeast.</p><p> The minor eruptions, locally referred to in Batangas as &quot;pusngat&quot;, have been recurring since 2021. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17527373064881752737301322.png" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Minor phreatic eruption at Taal Main Crater at  3:15 p.m. on July 17, 2025.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>Bornas clarified that while these events are relatively weak, they originate from the interaction between hot magma, rich in volcanic gases, and surface water, resulting in explosive steam-driven or gas-driven activity.</p><p> “Ito pong phreatomagmatic event ay dulot po ito ng pagdampi po ng magma, iyong fresh magma na mainit at marami po itong volcanic gas sa tubig. Kaya po ito po ay kinauugatan po ng mga minor events,” Bornas explained.</p><p> She warned that such eruptions can still pose dangers within the island, including minor base surges, ashfall, and ballistic projectiles, rock fragments ejected with ballistic force that can cause injuries even at small sizes.</p><p> “Ito po iyong mga pitak ng bato, maliit o malaki, na iniitsa po ng bulkan kasama po ng kanyang eruption plume. At ito po ay lumalagpak sa lupa na mayroon pong ballistic speeds. So kahit po maliit na butil lamang po ang makatama po sa atin, ito po ay parang bala,”  said Bornas.</p><p> Volcanic gases are another threat, especially sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, the latter being heavier than air and potentially deadly when inhaled in confined or low-lying areas.</p><p> “Dahil ang carbon dioxide po, ito po ay mabigat at maaari pong pumalit sa hinihingang hangin at tayo po ay maaaring masakal o ma-asphyxiate kapag tayo po ay nandoon sa Taal main crater o malapit dito,” Bornas warned.</p><p> She reiterated the public warning to avoid Taal Volcano island, as these hazards remain even under Alert Level 1, which is still in effect.</p><p> “Kaya po ating binabalaan na huwag pong mamalagi at iwasan ang Taal Volcano island dahil sa mga ganito pong uri ng volcanic hazards na maaari pong madala o malikha ng ganitong mga minor phreatomagmatic events,” Bornas said.</p><p>However, communities surrounding Taal Lake need not panic, as the minor eruption poses no direct threat to lakeshore residents.</p><p> “Dito po sa mga lakeshore communities, wala naman po tayong danger o panganib sa ganitong uri ng mga minor phreatomagmatic events. Wala naman po itong naidudulot na masamang epekto o volcanic hazard dito po sa paligid po ng Taal Lake,” Bornas explained.</p><p> PHIVOLCS confirmed the presence of a volcanic tremor just before the eruption, which they said is often a precursor to gas release events. Still, no significant seismic activity has been detected that might indicate a shift toward a major eruption.</p><p> In light of the eruption, concerns were raised about ongoing underwater searches in Taal Lake by technical divers from the Philippine Coast Guard, part of an investigation into missing cockfighters. PHIVOLCS assured there’s no imminent danger in the lake itself.</p><p> “Wala po tayong nakikitang panganib na maari pong idulot sa Taal Lake at sa mga communities sa paligid nito... naabisuhan naman po natin sila na along the coastlines of Taal Lake ay wala naman pong imminent danger,” Bornas said.</p><p> Bornas appealed for vigilance and compliance with safety protocols around the volcano.</p><p> “Mangyari lamang po na iwasan po natin ang Taal Volcano island o ang pulo dahil nandyan pa rin po ang panganib ng mga pusngat o yung mga minor phreatic or phreatomagmatic eruptions na maaari pong maghatid sa atin ng volcanic hazard o panganib,” Bornas advised the public.</p><p> The alert status remains at Alert Level 1, signifying low-level unrest.</p>

<p>A minor phreatic eruption was observed at Taal Volcano’s main crater on Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.</p>

A minor phreatic eruption was observed at Taal Volcano’s main crater on Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Taal Volcano spews steam in minor phreatic eruption: Phivolcs

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Taal Volcano spews steam in minor phreatic eruption: Phivolcs

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 17, 2025 03:26 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 17, 2025 05:58 PM PHT

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