In the morning of Monday, June 28, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a warning to Filipinos residing near Taal Lake to take necessary precautions against the volcanic smog being seen over the Taal Volcano as a result of its continued sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission.
“For the past two days, high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes that rose as much as three (3) kilometers high have been observed from the Taal Main Crater,” PHIVOLCS said in a Facebook post.
The emission of SO2 on Sunday, June 27, reportedly averaged 4,771 tons per day which, combined with certain atmospheric conditions, particularly “the near-absence of air movement,” was what led to the formation of volcanic smog over the Taal Caldera region. PHIVOLCS then said that if these conditions persist, communities surrounding Taal Lake should:
- Stay indoors and shut all windows and doors to block out the volcanic smog
- Cover their noses ideally with an N95 facemask; and
- Drink plenty of water to reduce throat irritation or constriction.
Additionally, those “belonging to the particularly sensitive group of people” with existing health conditions such as asthma, lung disease, and heart disease or the elderly, pregnant women, or children, should “watch over yourself and seek help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if needed. If serious effects are experienced, call the doctor or the barangay health unit.”
Taal Volcano was raised to Alert Level 2 (increase unrest) last March 9, 2021, due to the threat of sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions as well as lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas in areas within and around Taal Lake.
Taal Volcano last erupted last January 2020.
Read the full post below:
(ALSO READ: Here’s what Taal island looks like since Sunday’s eruption)
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