PHIVOLCS reported continuing unrest at Taal during 5-11 October. Upwelling gasses and hot fluids in the lake continued to be visible. A small, three-minute-long phreatomagmatic burst occurred on 5 October; according to the Washington VAAC an ash plume rose to 600 m (2,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. White steam emissions rose 900 m above the lake, though during 10-11 October plumes rose as high as 2.4 km. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5), and PHIVOLCS reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island was a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

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)