The Philippines’ Taal volcano has erupted, spewing a large column of steam and ash some 100 meters high. The increased activity of the fiery mountain prompted local authorities to raise its threat level twice in one hour.
The eruption began on Sunday and was caught on video by numerous bystanders, as well as surveillance cameras used to monitor the volcano. While Taal has been quiet since 1977, when the last major eruption occurred, it has been exhibiting increased seismic activity over the past few years.
The plume darkened shortly afterwards, indicating that the steam was joined by actual volcanic ash.
Taal Volcano as viewed from Brgy. Manalao, Agoncillo, Batangas at 4pm. (Video taken by retired 2LT Jones delos Reyes) | via @jun_veneracionpic.twitter.com/q3X4qJzfqN
The spike in the mountain’s activities prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to upgrade its threat level twice within an hour. The alert level skyrocketed from ‘abnormal’ to ‘magmatic unrest,’ suggesting that the volcano might even spew some lava.
The Taal belongs to the so-called ‘Decade Volcanos’ – 16 mountains known for violent and deadly eruptions in the past and therefore considered worthy of close study and monitoring. The greatest recorded eruption of the Taal occurred back in 1754 and lasted for nearly eight months.
The deadliest eruption occurred in 1911, claiming the lives of over 1,300 people and effectively wiping out all human settlements on the volcanic island.
