by Thiago Santos November 22, 2020 (Photo: Karl Ambida - Batangas Capitol PIO) ...
November 22, 2020
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| (Photo: Karl Ambida - Batangas Capitol PIO) |
BATANGAS CITY - After the eruption of Taal Volcano on January 12, 2020, the activities of the well-known volcano in Batangas Province continues.
To clarify its current state, the B’yaheng Capitol interviewed Mr. Paulo Reniva, Science Research Specialist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and current Taal Volcano Observatory Resident Volcanologist, on November 18, 2020.
According to Reniva, Taal Volcano is still below Alert Level I or it is still active and steam continues to erupt and emit so it cannot be complacent, especially residents in nearby towns.
There are 33 recorded eruptions of Taal Volcano, and they were strongest in 1754, 1911, 1965 and 2020 due to the main crater it originated, despite having 47 craters.
Volcanic Eruption Has No Schedule or Timeline
The volcanologist shared that March 2019 allegedly felt the high activity in the volcano, which continued to intensify so in January 2020 it erupted.
Mr. Reniva also explained that the belief that the volcano only erupts every 50 years is not true. Its explosion, he said, is based on activity, which is analyzed by data and not based on a timeline or schedule.
Volcanoes, according to Reneva, accumulate pressure and when enough gases have accumulated, they can explode. When magma rises, there is a formation, which causes earthquakes. They are said to be the basis, not the time period.
When it comes to the Volcano Explosivity Index (VEI), the eruption of Taal in January was only VEI 3, which is low compared to the Pinatubo eruption in 1991 with VEI 6. In what happened in Taal Volcano, PHIVOLCS did not monitor volcanic tsunami and bay surge. The only hazards were ballistic projectiles and ash fall, including fissuring or landslides around the lake.
Permanent Danger Zone
The construction of any structure and residence on Taal Volcano Island, including going to the crater, is still strictly forbidden.
Ang hindi talaga aniya maiwasan ay ang pagpunta ng ibang residente sa pulo para puntahan ang mga binabantayang fish cages. Sinisigurado na lamang aniya, katuwang ang mga local government units, na bumabalik ang mga ito sa mainland tuwing hapon.
What he really can't avoid, he said, is that other residents go to the island to visit the guarded fish cages. He said they are just making sure, in collaboration with the local government units, that they return to the mainland every afternoon.
Landslide
Reniva also mentioned that after the eruption, fissures or landslides occurred in the Towns of Lemery, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, and Talisay and Tanauan City.
Their agency is already mapping them, which has been halted due to community quarantine and lockdown. However, PHIVOLCS allegedly took the initiative to use aerial photography and satellite images to continue the placement of fissures on the hazard map of the province.
In this regard, at the request of Gov. Mandanas, PHIVOLCS has already submitted a report to his office to further study the corresponding measures for the said situation.
He also advised Mr. Reniva that the public can consult with the free Hazard Hunter application. With this app, you can see the distance of an area from various hazards, such as the threat of earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions.
Meanwhile, the volcanologist also stated that the fissuring recorded measures no more than 185 meters long, 9 meters wide and 3 to 9 meters deep.
As a warning to the public, it reminded that when there is an established fissuring in an area avoid approaching around it at least 5 meters and stop building the structure.
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