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Report on Taal (Philippines) — November 1977


Taal

Natural Science Event Bulletin, vol. 2, no. 11 (November 1977)
Managing Editor: David Squires.

Taal (Philippines) Ejection of voluminous ash-laden steam clouds on 9 November

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 1977. Report on Taal (Philippines) (Squires, D., ed.). Natural Science Event Bulletin, 2:11. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.NSEB197711-273070



Taal

Philippines

14.0106°N, 120.9975°E; summit elev. 311 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Taal ejected voluminous ash-laden steam clouds at 1200 on 9 November. The clouds, similar to those of 3 October, rose about 250 m before being blown toward the mainland by a moderately strong NE wind. Ground probe temperatures have increased, and harmonic tremor continued at about the same amplitude. Initial evacuation procedures remained in effect.

Geological Summary. Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has produced some powerful eruptions. The 15 x 20 km Talisay (Taal) caldera is largely filled by Lake Taal, whose 267 km2 surface lies only 3 m above sea level. The maximum depth of the lake is 160 m, with several submerged eruptive centers. The 5-km-wide Volcano Island in north-central Lake Taal is the location of all observed eruptions. The island is composed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones. Powerful pyroclastic flows and surges have caused many fatalities.

Information Contacts: G. Andal, COMVOL, Quezon City.