This is a notice of reported and further potential impacts of elevated volcanic SO2 gas emission from the Main Crater of Taal Volcano.

 

For the past two days, high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO₂ gas emissions from the Taal Main Crater have been measured by campaign UV spectrometry around the Taal Lake shore. The highest SO₂ flux ever recorded for Taal averaged 9,911 tonnes/day on 10 June 2021. Peak measurements were obtained within a period of vigorous upwelling at the Main Crater Lake, which occurred continuously between 6:00 PM of 9 June and 10:00 AM of 10 June and generated 1.5 kilometer-tall steam plumes that drifted generally to the northwest. Because of high levels of SO₂ aerosol over the western Taal Caldera, residents in three barangays of the Municipality of Agoncillo, Batangas Province – Banyaga, Bilibinwang and Subic Ilaya – have experienced throat irritations and observed sudden dry-out or vegetation kill in crops, plants and trees after a period of rain. These observations were reported to us by the Municipal Agricultural Office and is currently under further investigation. The unprecedented high levels of SO₂ flux during this period of seismic quiescence warn not only of continued magmatic unrest, but also, of direct impacts of volcanic gas on downwind populations and local economies around Taal Lake. Should this persist, and considering the wind forecast of PAGASA for the Southern Tagalog region for the next days, communities to the west and north of Taal Volcano Island or TVI may experience the effects of volcanic SO₂.

 

SO₂ is an acidic gas that can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract, with severities dependent on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure. People particularly sensitive to such ill effects are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children. If exposure to SO₂ and other volcanic gases suddenly occurs or cannot be avoided, please be mindful of the following:

2. (1) Protect yourself. Cover nose, ideally with an N95 facemask. Drink plenty of water to reduce any throat irritation or constriction. If belonging to the particularly sensitive group of people above, watch over yourself and seek help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if needed. If serious effects are experienced, call the doctor or the barangay health unit.
3. (2) Limit your exposure. Move away from the area where volcanic gas can be sensed. Alternatively, stay indoors and shut doors and windows to block out volcanic gas.

 

The public is reminded that Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) prevails over Taal Volcano and that the threat of sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around TVI. Venturing into TVI must therefore remain strictly prohibited. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders.

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS