Breaking “Massive Volcano Erupts Philippines Evacuations Of Thousands”

ALERT LEVEL 4

Taal's period of 'intense unrest' continues —PHIVOLCS

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 4 on Monday amid the continuing "period of intense unrest," according to PHIVOLCS' latest bulletin. Alert Level 4 means that "hazardous explosive eruption" is possible within hours to days.

The PHIVOLCS said the volcano's initial phreatic or steam-driven activity which started on Sunday progressed into a magmatic eruption from 2:49 a.m. to 4:28 a.m. on Monday.
"This magmatic eruption is characterized by weak lava fountaining accompanied by thunder and flashes of lightning," the institute said in a bulletin.
Lava fountains were observed in Taal Volcano early Monday morning.

As of 5 a.m., a total of 75 volcanic earthquakes have also been recorded in Taal.

"Thirty-two of these earthquakes were felt with intensities ranging from Intensity II – V in Tagaytay City, Cabuyao, Laguna, Talisay, Alitagtag, Lemery and Bauan, Batangas," the PHIVOLCS said.

"Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity."
Total evacuation of those at the volcano island was reiterated.

Those within the 14-kilometer radius from Taal Main Crater were also advised to evacuate due to high risks of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami.
Meanwhile, residents in the general north of Taal volcano were advised to take precautionary measures for the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfalls.

The airspace around Taal Volcano must be avoided by aircraft as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from the eruption column pose hazards, the PHIVOLCS added.
Taal Volcano continues to spew ashes past 8 a.m. on Monday, according to PHIVOLCS-Tagaytay volcanologist Paolo Reniva.

"Tuloy-tuloy po 'yung emission... Karamihan po diyan sa mga ash emission ay may mga kasabay na paglindol na nararamdaman din dito po sa baba at sa taas ng Tagaytay," he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Over 7,000 have already been evacuated due to Taal Volcano's activity, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Classes and government work in affected areas meanwhile were suspended on Monday. —Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said this can be considered as low-level eruption.
The lava fountains were recorded before 3 a.m., at 3:20 a.m., and at 3:42 a.m. and lasted for around a minute at a time.
Loud sounds were also heard as the volcano spewed lava, and lightning also occurred.

PHIVOLCS said in its 3:50 a.m. bulletin that ashfall had fallen on the following areas:

Tanauan, Batangas
Escala, Tagaytay
Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Dasmariñas, Bacoor and Silang, Cavite
Malolos, San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan, Bulacan
Antipolo, Rizal
Muntinlupa
Las Piñas
Marikina
Parañaque
Pasig
Quezon City
Mandaluyong
San Juan
Manila
Makati
Taguig

It added that large rock fragments (lapilli) measuring 2 to 64 mm in diameter fell on Tanauan and Talisay in Batangas, Tagaytay City in Cavite and Nuvali and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.

Tagaytay City
Tagaytay City in Cavite had continuous ash fall, and with the rains which fell until midnight, the roads were covered with thick mud.
The city became almost a ghost town as many tourists already left on Sunday after Taal Volcano showed signs of activity.
Traffic was heavy from Tagaytay City to Sta. Rosa, Laguna and the South Luzon Expressway on Sunday.
Travel time from Tagaytay City to the municipality beside it, Silang, took six hours.

Meanwhile, some evacuees from the town of Talisay which is right beside the volcano walked all the way to Tagaytay.
A hospital in Tagaytay which is running on generator at the moment said it will transfer patients to hospitals in Laguna.
Thousands of residents evacuated on Sunday after the volcano spewed a massive cloud of ash into the sky.

Classes, flights, work
Classes were canceled in several areas due to the ash fall.
Many flights were also canceled as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport remains closed.
Government work in Metro Manila, the Calabarzon Region, and Region 3 for Monday, January 13, 2020 has been suspended due to the ash hfall from Taal Volcano's phreatic explosion on Sunday. —KG,

My heart goes out to the good people of the Philippines

I hope everyone is alright