When hot liquefied rocks called magma emerge out of an opening on the earth’s crust, this phenomenon becomes known as lava as it rises to the surface. Seeping to the outer reaches of the landmass, it cools off into the surrounding area, dries up, and forms a new landmass. The creation of volcanoes belies their catastrophic capabilities.
Situated in Batangas, Taal Volcano has produced some of the “largest and deadliest eruptions” in the Philippines. From its earliest reported “devastating” eruption of gas and steam in 1965 to its last known eruption in 1977, a research article published last December 2018 in the journal Earth, Planets and Space reported that the volcano’s activities claimed at least 200 lives.
Although 1977 was Taal Volcano’s last eruption, signs of unrest were already being observed as early as 1992, with continued seismic activity reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The culmination of such activity came to fruition as Taal Volcano began spewing lava again in the early morning this January 13, only hours after the volcano discharged a slew of volcanic releases, such as steam, gas, and ash.
Erupting information
Government agencies, such as Phivolcs, use Volcanic Alert Levels to describe the state of volcanic activity, predict the timeframe of a probable volcanic eruption, and estimate the magnitude of the volcanic destruction. With the Phivolcs raising the status of Taal Volcano from Alert Level 2 or “increasing [volcanic] unrest” to Alert Level 4 in a span of five hours, authorities warned residents to prepare for an “imminent” and “hazardous explosive eruption” on the way, as early as in a few days.
Alert Level 4 also means that residents should expect intense seismic activities—at least 144 earthquakes, alongside numerous smaller volcanic tremors, have reportedly struck Taal’s vicinity since the initial phreatic eruption on January 12. Of these 144 quakes, 44 have been felt in various areas in Batangas and Tagaytay, reaching severities of up to Intensity V characterized by “strong shaking” both indoors and outside.
Bursting with danger
Taal Volcano’s recent eruption is described as phreatic—occurring when the temperature of the magma heats the surrounding bodies of water, resulting in an almost immediate evaporation to steam. With past eruptions being concentrated within Taal Lake, phreatic byproducts are expected to naturally occur when volcanic activity happens.
Other volcanic products are also hazardous, from ash and volcanic bombs to cooled lava fragments larger than 2.5 inches in diameter. Often cold and incandescent, such projectiles are the root causes of injuries—and even death—to lives caught within the proximity of their trajectories.
Such ballistic fragments are not only hazardous to living organisms, but also to passing aircraft. As such, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines advising airplanes to avoid the airspace of Taal Volcano. Cancelation of flights was also a consequence of the increased volcanic activity, as volcanic debris could get sucked into an aircraft’s jet engine, resulting in possible mechanical failure.
Ash is another harmful byproduct of the natural phenomenon; as fine residues released during a volcanic eruption, ash is composed of volcanic glass, gases, and rock particles involving carbon dioxide, silica, and sulfates.
When deposited over land, intense ash fall can accumulate into thick layers, akin to snow or sand, but with more dangerous consequences. The mud-like downpour can reduce visibility, heightening the risk for road accidents—one was already reported in Laguna earlier today, resulting in one casualty and three injured. Further, it can hamper mobility efforts as roads become clogged up, and heavy ash load may threaten weak roof structures.
Safety from its spews
Several health agencies explain that ash exposure could lead to effects such as throat and eye irritation, coughing, and possibly minor skin problems and burns. Additionally, people diagnosed with bronchitis or asthma—respiratory conditions marked by breathing difficulties—are especially advised to avoid ash exposure.
The Department of Health recommends staying indoors as much as possible, with doors and windows locked tight. If the need to go outside ever arises, wearing a disposable N95 mask is recommended, as the respirator is known to block out most small particles and prevent inward leakage of ash. However, the available supply for these masks is dwindling due to high demand, resulting in people having to rely on less efficient alternatives, such as using a damp cloth to avoid inhaling the ash.
With Batangas now declaring a state of calamity, over 8,000 of its residents have since evacuated following yesterday’s raised volcanic activity. An estimated 200,000 more will soon follow, according to the province’s contingency plan.
As risks of an explosive eruption loom, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and constantly monitor reports from officials. With no clear indications yet as to how large an impact the eruption may turn out to have, the country continues to witness the event unfold and ponder what it could mean for the rest of the Philippines.
