THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) placed Taal Volcano under alert level 3 following a phreatomagmatic eruption yesterday.

Taal Volcano’s main crater generated a kilometer-high phreatomagmatic plume at 3:16 p.m. yesterday, according to Phivolcs.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said alert level 3 means a volcano is showing a “magmatic unrest.”

He said the eruption was short-lived, which lasted only for about five minutes.

The United States Geological Survey said phreatomagmatic refers to an eruption that involves both magma and water, which typically interact explosively.

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Jane Eleda