Manila: Phreatic eruption is normal but entry into the permanent danger zone of all active volcanoes, even under Alert Level 0, should remain prohibited, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, a two-minute minor phreatic eruption occurred in Taal Volcano at 2:22 a.m. Wednesday, generating a 500-meter plume. The volcano is under Alert Level 1.
The eruption was triggered by the interaction between water and hot volcanic materials, such as volcanic rocks or gases, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said. “A phreatic eruption is normal as long as water and hot volcanic materials are present. A phreatic eruption could occur even at Alert Level 0,” he told the Philippine News Agency.
Bacolcol noted that the public should not venture into Taal Volcano Island, a PDZ where phreatic eruptions can happen at any moment. Phreatic or steam-driven eruptions are sudden-onset and short-lived events and happen without warning or any precursors.
Phreatic eruption is imminent even at Alert Level 0, he said.