VOLCANO experts have detected new cracks in various parts of the volcano island in Batangas as Taal Volcano continues to display magmatic and hydro volcanic activity.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported in its Volcano Bulletin issued 1 p.m. Tuesday that lava fountains generated 800-meter tall dark gray steam-laden plumes that drifted to the general southwest.
“New fissures or cracks were observed in Sinisian, Mahabang Dahilig, Dayapan, Palanas, Sangalang, Poblacion, Lemery; Pansipit, Agoncillo; Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 3, Poblacion 5, Talisay and Poblacion, San Nicolas. A fissure was also documented across the road connecting Agoncillo to Laurel, Batangas,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Seismic Network recorded a total of 49 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal region from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, including seven that were felt with intensities ranging from intensity 2 to 4 in Tagaytay City.
Interviewed by the BusinessMirror, Lincoln Olayva, Science Research Specialist 1 at Phivolcs, said the intense seismic activity and the fissuring on the island mean continuous magma intrusion beneath the Taal edifice. “This may or may not lead to a hazardous eruption,” he said.
By this time, he said livestock and domestic animals, including fish in the lake, could have been succumbed or are in extreme danger already.
“It is highly possible that because of the volcanic activity, even fish in the lake are already affected,” he said.
As such, he said the entire volcano island should have been deserted by now, and that it should stay as a “no man’s land.”
“Remember that the entire volcano island is within the 14-kilometer permanent danger zone. Anyone who are still there on the island are in grave danger,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Thousands of affected communities fled their homes as the volcano started to erupt Sunday afternoon and are sheltered in over 40 temporary evacuation camps put up across Batangas province. Ashfall from the volcano had reached areas as far as Quezon City on Sunday and Monday, prompting Malacañang to suspend classes in all levels, as well as work in government offices on Monday.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) deployed field personnel to rescue affected wildlife and bring them to safety.
Members of animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are in Batangas to help provide medical attention to affected domestic animals, some of which were left behind on the volcano island as those being evacuated in the past two days were not allowed to bring with them their pets or even livestock.
According to Olayva anything can happen in the next few hours and days, including tsunami. “But this ground fissure is not likely to trigger a tsunami. A tsunami happens in case of flank collapse,” he said, explaining that volcanic earthquakes may lead to a rupture on the island’s wall. When a big chunk of the wall collapses, he said it is like dropping a huge rock in a basin filled with water.
Alert Level 5
This can happen in case of the hazardous eruption which means that the Alert Level over Taal will also be raised from 4 to 5.
Alert Level 5 means magmatic eruption characterized by explosive production of tall ash-laden eruption columns or by massive collapses of the summit lava dome. This also means deadly pyroclastic flows, surges and or lateral blasts and widespread ashfall are generated.
Under this alert level, additional danger areas may be declared.
“In the next few hours, we anticipate hazardous eruption to take place. But the volcanic activity can also stop. We still don’t know for sure what can happen next,” he said.
As such, Alert Level 4 still remains in effect over Taal Volcano, which means that hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days, according to Phivolcs Volcano Bulletin.