Taal Volcano’s sulfur dioxide emission reaches record high
CNN Philippines — Taal Volcano recorded its “highest ever” sulfur dioxide emission, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Saturday.
In its 8 p.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said the volcano spewed an average of 14,699 tonnes of sulfur dioxide per day, which may contribute to the formation of volcanic smog in lakeshore communities in Batangas.
Phivolcs also warned of a possible volcanic eruption due to the increase of sulfur dioxide emission.
“PHIVOLCS strongly recommends Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Buso-buso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan, Laurel, Batangas province remain evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur,” the agency said in its bulletin.
Taal’s first eruption on Thursday after more than a year of calm prompted officials to evacuate people living in high-risk lakeshore areas in the towns of Laurel and Agoncillo.
As of Saturday afternoon, 3,011 people or 791 families were evacuated, broken down into 1,554 people or 376 families staying in 11 evacuation centers, and 1,457 people or 415 families outside evacuation centers, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. The agency earlier said some families stayed with relatives.
