Cracks could lead to bigger eruption
Credit to Author: Franz Lewin Embudo| Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:20:14 +0000
EXPERTS warned on Tuesday that Taal Volcano could throw up a bigger and more dangerous eruption as ground fissures have started to appear in several towns near the volcano.
Ma. Antonia Bornas, head of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the cracks on the ground were caused by seismic activity.
She explained that these fissures signified continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the volcano.
Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum explained that earthquakes and cracks on the ground were signs of the volcano’s unrest. He said these could lead to a “hazardous explosive eruption.”
“Ibig sabihin, umaakyat ‘yung volume ng magma na pwede pang mag-supply d’un sa eruption ng Taal (It means that the volume of magma is increasing, which can fuel Taal Volcano’s eruption),” he said.
Phivolcs said fissures were found in the villages of Mahabang Dahilig, Palanas, Dayapan, Sangalang and Poblacion in Lemery town; Pansipit in Agoncillo town; Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 3 and Poblacion 5 in Talisay town; and Poblacion in San Nicolas town.
Big cracks were also seen on roads, making travel dangerous.
“Ang hinuhudyat nung malalakas na lindol at fissuring na nangyayari ngayon sa Batangas ay mayrooon po tayong malaking volume ng magma na ini-intrude sa edifice at maaari po itong iputok bilang isang malakas na eruption (What the fissures and frequent tremors signify is that there is a huge volume of magma that the volcano could spout anytime in a big eruption),” Bornas said.
She added that there was a possibility of explosion from the volcano’s main crater.
“Ngayon, hindi pa po masyadong humihiwalay ‘yung lupa, pero noong 1911 ang nangyari po after ng malakas na pagputok, lumubog pa ‘yung lupa diyan (The cracks are not so big yet, but in 1911, after the eruption, part of the ground sank),” she added.
A total of 212 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Taal on Tuesday, according to the Philippine Seismic Network.
The tremors, with intensities ranging from 1 to 5, were felt in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said Taal Volcano’s activity was characterized by continuous eruption of the main crater.
“This ongoing eruption generated 500-meter tall lava fountains topped by dark gray steam-laden plumes reaching approximately 2 kilometers tall that dispersed ash to the southwest and west of the main crater,” the agency added.
On Tuesday morning, flashes of volcanic lightning were also observed.
“New vents opened up on the northern flank, where short 500-meter lava fountains [were seen], and within the main crater where steam plumes have emanated,” the Phivolcs said.
Bornas said the water inside the volcano would also contribute to a bigger explosion.
Alert Level 4 still remains in effect over Taal Volcano, which means that hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.
Solidum said Taal’s previous eruptions have lasted months, so it was impossible to predict an end to the current activity.
But he said the alert warning of a potentially catastrophic “explosive eruption” might remain in place for weeks.
“We have a protocol of waiting for several days, sometimes two weeks, to make sure that indeed… volcano activity has essentially stopped,” he said.
Dangerous
The government on Tuesday warned evacuees against going back to their homes, saying the threat of a hazardous eruption remains.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, Solidum said the volcano’s calmer appearance sometimes offers a “false sense of security.”
“We need the cooperation of everyone. ‘Yung scenario ng hazardous explosive eruption is a real scenario. That has been exhibited by Taal Volcano,” the Phivolcs official added.
Malacañang echoed the Phivolcs’ appeal to evacuees not to return to their homes yet.
“’Yun pong mga sinasabing nasa lugar na mapanganib, ‘wag na muna kayong bumalik sapagkat hindi pa tayo nakakasiguro kung safe na ‘yung lugar na ‘yun (Those who are from high-risk areas, please do not return to your homes yet because we’re not sure if those areas are safe),” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
WITH CATHERINE s. VALENTE