Phivolcs Clears Coast Guard for Search Amid Taal Volcano Activity
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has advised the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to proceed with retrieval operations in Taal Lake despite a minor eruption on Thursday afternoon. This guidance ensures that search efforts continue safely while monitoring volcanic activity closely.
Phivolcs officials confirmed that the recent minor eruption at Taal Volcano’s main crater falls within the usual volcanic behavior under its current alert Level 1 status. Ma. Antonia Bornas, chief of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD), informed the PCG that these eruptions are typical given the volcano’s recent history.
Details of the Minor Eruption
On Thursday, a minor phreatic eruption occurred, sending a plume up to 2,400 meters high, drifting southeast. Monitoring data recorded several minor phreatomagmatic events between 3:01 p.m. and 3:13 p.m. at the main crater. Bornas explained that such activity has been recurring since 2021 and poses no immediate threat to current operations.
She emphasized, “this kind of activity has been usual and recurring since 2021,” and the southeast direction of the plume is away from the retrieval site. This reassures that the search in the lake remains safe despite volcanic activity.
Safety Protocols and Search Efforts
Authorities maintain a strict no-entry policy on Taal Volcano Island, which is still classified as a permanent danger zone. Meanwhile, the coastal town of Laurel in Batangas, where the search for missing individuals continues, is located approximately four to five kilometers from the crater and lies outside the danger zone.
Retrieval operations focus on locating missing “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts reportedly killed due to game-fixing disputes. A whistleblower alleged that the victims’ bodies were disposed of in Taal Lake, prompting coordinated police and coast guard efforts to investigate and recover possible remains.
Understanding Phreatic Eruptions
Phivolcs clarified that a phreatic explosion is a sudden, short-lived eruption caused by groundwater or water beneath the volcano coming into contact with hot rocks. This interaction produces steam-driven blasts that, while dramatic, often do not involve lava.
Local officials and sources continue to monitor volcanic activity closely to ensure public safety as search and retrieval operations progress. They remain ready to adjust protocols should volcanic conditions change.
For more news and updates on Taal Volcano minor eruption, visit Filipinokami.com.
