Radio Havana Cuba Philippines Cities evacuated after Taal volcano

Radio Havana Cuba | Philippines: Cities evacuated after Taal volcano eruption

2ahp 54133119 filipinas volcan taal

notify

MANILA, March 26 (RHC) The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) this Saturday recorded the eruption of the Taal volcano, for which the authorities ordered the massive evacuation of several cities due to the possibility of a volcanic tsunami and dense currents. pyroclastic.

“At 07:22 local time (14:22 GMT), the main crater of Taal Volcano produced a short-lived phreatomagmatic eruption, which was followed by almost continuous phreatomagmatic activity that generated 1,500m plumes accompanied by seismic and infrasonic volcanic signals. ‘ the report said. Center in a statement.

Due to this phenomenon, the alert level has been increased from level 2 to 3, meaning that there is a magmatic incursion into the main crater that may further fuel subsequent eruptions.

Officials warned communities around the shores of Taal Lake to remain vigilant and take precautions against possible ash and smog in the air.

The National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management later said in a statement that its regional counterpart is monitoring the situation and preparing for the evacuation.

Phivolcs recommended the evacuation of the volcanic island and high-risk barangays (local city-states) Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and East Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas Province, “due to potential dangers from pyroclastic dense currents and volcanic tsunamis if stronger eruptions follow,” the statement added.

Located in the Philippine province of Batangas, 50km south of the capital Manila, El Taal is the second most active volcano in history with 38 historically recorded eruptions. Several of the previous blasts have resulted in fatalities on nearby islands.

Taal’s last major eruption was in January 2020 when it entered Alert Level 4. Prior to Saturday’s records, the volcano had been under Alert Level 2 since July 23, 2021. After remaining on Alert Level 3 for more than three weeks, it was downgraded to Alert Level 3 at that level.