Report on Taal (Philippines) — 8 April-14 April 2020
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 8 April-14 April 2020
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2020. Report on Taal (Philippines) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 8 April-14 April 2020. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Taal
Philippines
14.0106°N, 120.9975°E; summit elev. 311 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
PHIVOLCS reported that during 8-9 April steam plumes rose 100-300 m above the Taal’s main vent and drifted SW. Weak steaming (plumes up to 20 m high) from ground cracks was visible during 8-14 April along the Daang Kastila trail which connects the N part of Volcano Island to the N part of the main crater. PHIVOLCS had lowered the Alert Level to 1 (on a scale of 0-5) on 19 March and recommended no entry onto Volcano Island, the area defined as the Permanent Danger Zone.
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.
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)