Filipijnse 'Taal' vulkaan staat op uitbarsten

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Volcano: Eruption imminent
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III today ordered concerned authorities to inform the remaining 1,000 residents near Taal volcano of the "imminent danger" to their safety.

"Everybody should be apprised. The expectations here have to be made very, very clear that there is really imminent danger," Aquino said in a briefing

Aquino gave the directive to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) after its executive director, retired Gen. Benito Ramos, reported to him that Taal volcano "may erupt anytime."

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Taal Volcano's alert level to two. Phivolcs said that Taal volcano's seismic network recorded six volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours.

Ramos said most of the 5,000 people living near the Taal volcano have evacuated. About 1,007 people remain living near the island-volcano, most of whom are caretakes of fishcages and duck farms. He assured the President that the remaining residents "can escape in 30 minutes" if Taal volcano erupts.

"The evacuation centers are ready. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard are there, ready," Ramos said. He added the residents have their own pumpboats ready to ferry them to the nearby towns of Talisay, Laurel and Agoncillo.

The President checked with Vice Admiral Ramon Liwag, the new Coast Guard commandant, and PNP Acting Director for Operations Leocadio Santiago about their resources in the area and both reported that while they have limited resources at the moment, these can be augmented if necessary.

Philippines volcano on verge of eruption

Taal as seen from up above

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Op woensdag 20 april 2011 12:03 schreef Jumparound het volgende:
hmm, is er recent nog activiteit geweest?

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

MANILA -- Taal volcano's abnormal state intensified Wednesday, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recording 13 earthquakes, one of which was felt at intensity 3 in Barangay Calauit.

The volcano's main crater's temperature also increased slightly to 31.5 degrees Celsius from 30.5 degrees Celsius recorded on Tuesday.

Taal Volcano is still at alert level 2, which means magma has been intruding toward the surface. Visiting the main crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mount Tabaro is still discouraged.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said it will continue preparations for the possible eruption.

Meanwhile, Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon is also showing signs of activity.

"We were able to record eight quakes in the last 24 hours. However, there were no signs of abnormality since its ash emissions last February 21," Phivolcs said.

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TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN 22 April 2011 8:00 A.M.
Friday, 22 April 2011 05:59

Taal Volcano’s (14.0000°N, 120.9833°E) seismic network recorded eleven (11) volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours. One of these quakes, which occurred at 5:33 AM yesterday, was felt at Intensity I at Brgy. Calauit at the southeastern side of the Volcano Island and was accompanied by rumbling sounds. Epicenter was located approximately 500 m offshore east of the Volcano Island and with a depth of 0.9 km. Field observation and measurements conducted at the eastern sector inside the Main Crater Lake showed that the temperature at the Main Crater Lake increased from 30.5°C to 31.5°C. Result of the ground deformation survey (precise leveling) conducted around the Volcano Island last 05-11 April 2011 showed that volcano edifice is slightly inflated as compared with the 02-09 February 2011 survey.

Alert Level 2 is hoisted over Taal Volcano with the interpretation that magma has been intruding towards the surface, as manifested by CO2 being released in the Main Crater Lake and sustained seismic activity. Hence, PHIVOLCS advises the public that the Main Crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mt. Tabaro (1965 -1977 Eruption Site) are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate. Breathing air with high concentration of gases can be lethal to human, animals and even cause damage to vegetation. In addition, it is reminded that entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately relayed to all concerned.

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TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN, 25 April 2011, 8:00 A.M.

Taal Volcano’s (14.0000°N, 120.9833°E) seismic network recorded fourteen (14 ) volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours. Field observation and measurements conducted at the eastern sector inside the Main Crater Lake showed that the water temperature increased from 30.5°C to 31.5°C. Result of the ground deformation survey (precise leveling) conducted around the Volcano Island last 05-11 April 2011 showed that volcano edifice is slightly inflated as compared with the 02-09 February 2011 survey.

Alert Level 2 is hoisted over Taal Volcano with the interpretation that magma has been intruding towards the surface, as manifested by CO2 being released in the Main Crater Lake and sustained seismic activity. Hence, PHIVOLCS advises the public that the Main Crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mt. Tabaro (1965 -1977 Eruption Site) are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate. Breathing air with high concentration of gases can be lethal to human, animals and even cause damage to vegetation. In addition, it is reminded that entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately relayed to all concerned.

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Taal activity intensifies, 17 quakes noted in last 24 hrs

Activity at restive Taal Volcano in Batangas intensified anew as at least 17 volcanic quakes were recorded in the last 24 hours, state volcanologists said Tuesday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said at least three of the quakes were felt at Intensity III in areas near the volcano.

Three of the volcanic quakes occurred at 6:35 a.m., 6:35 a.m., and 11:25 p.m. Monday and were all felt at Intensity III by residents of Pira-piraso, Tibag, Tuoran and Calauit located in the northeast and southeast sectors of the volcano island, Phivolcs said in its Tuesday update.

It added that the felt quakes were reportedly accompanied by rumbling sounds.

Also, water temperature at the Main Crater Lake increased from 30.5 to 31.5 degrees Celsius.

Phivolcs maintained Alert Level 2 is still in effect over Taal Volcano with the interpretation that magma has been intruding towards the surface.

It advised the public the Main Crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mt. Tabaro are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate.

Also, it said the entire volcano island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended.

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TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN 03 May 2011 8:00 A.M.
Tuesday, 03 May 2011 07:34

Taal Volcano’s (14.0000°N, 120.9833°E) seismic network recorded fifteen (15) volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours. Field measurements conducted on 26 April 2011 at the western sector inside the Main Crater Lake showed that the water temperature increased from 30.1°C (19 April 2011) to 31.8°C (26 April 2011). Result of the ground deformation survey (precise leveling) conducted around the Volcano Island last 05-11 April 2011 showed that the volcano edifice is slightly inflated as compared with the 02-09 February 2011 survey.

Alert Level 2 is hoisted over Taal Volcano with the interpretation that magma has been intruding towards the surface, as manifested by CO2 being released in the Main Crater Lake and sustained seismic activity. Hence, PHIVOLCS advises the public that the Main Crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mt. Tabaro (1965 -1977 Eruption Site) are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate. Breathing air with high concentration of gases can be lethal to human, animals and even cause damage to vegetation. In addition, it is reminded that entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately relayed to all concerned.

DOST-PHIVOLCS

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5 quakes reported in Taal volcano
MANILA -- Government seismologists said Sunday that five volcanic earthquakes were felt during the past 25 hours near Taal Volcano.

Water temperature at the volcano's Main Crate Lake also increased from 31.8 degrees Celsius to 32.0 degrees Celsius, while the pH value became more slightly acidic, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

It was also observed that Taal's edifice remains inflated.

With this, the Phivolcs announced that alert level 2 is still in effect over Taal. This alert level status means that "magma has been intruding toward the surface, as manifested by the continuing high emission rate of CO2 being released in the Main Crater Lake and sustained seismic activity."

Phivolcs advised the public not to go near the Main Crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mt. Tabaro as "sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate."

Breathing air with high concentration of toxic gases can be lethal to human, animals and even cause damage to vegetation, it said.

Phivolcs also reminded the public that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone, and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended.

The agency assured that it is closely monitoring Taal's activity.

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Residents refuse to leave Taal, sit and wait for volcano
TAAL VOLCANO ISLAND, 25 May 2011 (IRIN) - Along with many other residents, father-of-two Chris Pornea has refused to leave his home in the coastal village of San Isidroon on Taal Volcano Island, ignoring a deep rumbling sound within the mountain that has been threatening to explode for more than a month.

Pornea is one of 3,000 residents who have lived for generations in the volcano's shadow, mostly as farmers, subsistence fishermen, or as guides for the tourists that visit regularly.

"We can't just leave the volcano. This is our home," the 36-year-old told IRIN, as he tended his small shop stocked with soft drinks and canned goods. "These are mostly sold to tourists, but with them gone, my small business is also failing."

Just 60km outside the capital Manila, Taal volcano is among the most powerful and destructive of the country's 23 active volcanoes.

The 23 sqkm volcano island is famous for its unique crater lake, although the island itself lies inside a bigger lake formed from past volcanic explosions.

For years, tour operators have taken visitors to the area, with many resorts around the island specializing in outdoor activities, injecting much-needed revenue into the local economy.

Rumblings

Taal has erupted about 33 times since the 15th century, the deadliest occasion in 1911, when wave surges wiped out entire lakeshore villages, and ash fell as far away as the capital. It also killed more than 1,300 people.

Its last major eruption was 34 years ago, although villagers were quick to evacuate then and no-one was killed.

But despite the island's designation as a "permanent danger zone" (PNZ), local authorities have failed to convince residents to permanently abandon the island.

Menfolk on the Taal Volcano Island while their afternoon away by talking about their future
However, renewed rumblings since April have forced the government to move to the second of a five-step alert system, meaning magma and steam were creeping up the volcano's crater ahead of a possible eruption. Many of the island's 7,000 permanent residents left voluntarily.

All tourists were banned, and pregnant women, children and the elderly among the island's population joined a voluntary evacuation. The rest, like Pornea, opted to stay despite the apparent dangers.

On 25 May, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported four instances of seismic activity on the island in 24 hours, while its crater lake continued to emit carbon dioxide and steam.

"Air with a high concentration of toxic gases can be lethal to humans, animals and even cause damage to vegetation," the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDCC) warned one day earlier. "In addition... the entire volcano island is a permanent danger zone, and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended," it said.

But the residents, such as Peter Mangabuhat, 24, ignore the warnings. "These rumblings are normal for us. We are not scared. Why are they not allowing tourists here? You know it's very easy to evacuate using our boats once there is an explosion," said Mangabuhat, a third-generation resident.

"Look around us, there is nothing. Many of us rely on tourist money for our livelihood, but when they are gone, we will starve," he said.

Asked what he would do if the volcano did suddenly erupt, he said: "I am confident it will not come to that. Taal loves its people."

Municipal tourism officer Genalyn Barba is not surprised by such sentiments, noting that at alert level two, forced evacuations were not even possible.

"These people say they are used to the rumblings of Taal, but even then, we have contingency plans in case of a sudden eruption," Barba said. "Our economy is severely affected, and we have lost a lot of tourism revenue. We are just waiting for volcanologists to declare the island safe, and we can lift restrictions to tourists."

Up to 300 foreign and local tourists would normally visit the island daily, Barba said, adding: "These peoples' lives are connected to Taal volcano. It gives us a lot of blessings, but we are perpetually at its mercy as well."

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Alert status lowered
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has lowered the alert status of Taal Volcano to level 1 on Tuesday morning.

In a statement, PHIVOLCS said that a "large hazardous eruption" is now less probable after its seismic activity has declined since June 2011.

PHIVOLCS said that since June 6, zero to 6 small seismic events have been recorded daily from the volcano. It added that no perceptible volcanic earthquake has occurred since June 2.

Meanwhile, hydrothermal and steaming activities in the northern and northeast sides of the main crater and Daang Kastila trail area have also abated, PHIVOLCS said.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) gas measurements at the Main Crater Lake since March 2011 also showed a decreasing trend.

The agency, however, is reminding the public that the main crater will remain strictly off-limits because sudden steam explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate.

PHIVOLCS added that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is discouraged.