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Report on Taal (Philippines) — 7 August-13 August 2024


Taal

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 7 August-13 August 2024
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2024. Report on Taal (Philippines) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 7 August-13 August 2024. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (7 August-13 August 2024)

Taal

Philippines

14.0106°N, 120.9975°E; summit elev. 311 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


PHIVOLCS reported ongoing, low-level unrest at Taal during 6-13 August. Daily steam-and-gas plumes rose as high as 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted NE and ENE. Four volcanic earthquakes were recorded during 6-7 August and a volcanic tremor signal lasting one minute occurred during 7-8 August . Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 5,094 tonnes per day (t/d) on 8 August and 2,655 t/d on 12 August. Hot fluids were visible upwelling in the lake during 10-13 August. A one-minute phreatic event was detected during 11-12 August. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5), and PHIVOLCS reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island was a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and to take extra precautions around Main Crater, when boating on Taal Lake, and along the Daang Kastila fissure.

Geological Summary. Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has produced some powerful eruptions. The 15 x 20 km Talisay (Taal) caldera is largely filled by Lake Taal, whose 267 km2 surface lies only 3 m above sea level. The maximum depth of the lake is 160 m, with several submerged eruptive centers. The 5-km-wide Volcano Island in north-central Lake Taal is the location of all observed eruptions. The island is composed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones. Powerful pyroclastic flows and surges have caused many fatalities.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)