Alert Level 3 Prevails Over Taal Volcano; Unrest Displaces Almost 4,000

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest) two days after a phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at the Main Crater at 8 AM of March 26.

“Activity at the Main Crater was dominated by upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes 1,000 meters tall that drifted southwest…” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said today. “[T]here is a magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions."

Phivolcs has strongly recommended high-risk barangays Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod, and eastern Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas Province to evacuate due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami in the event of stronger eruptions.

The entire Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ); entry into its premises and high-risk barangays like Agoncillo and Laurel, as well as all activities on Taal Lake are prohibited.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced in its situational report today that 3,850 persons have been affected by the continuing unrest of Taal. This is equivalent to 1,060 families residing in 14 barangays.

About 3,460 displaced persons or 956 displaced families are staying in 16 evacuation centers, whereas 201 displaced persons or 54 displaced families are currently outside these evacuation centers.