MANILA – Cracks are emerging along national roads in Batangas province caused by the earthquakes and fissures in the aftermath of the restive Taal Volcano.
This could be a sign magma could be rising from underground, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said, warning a massive eruption remained possible within hours or days.
Phivocs chief Mariton Bornas said that during the past volcanic eruptions, fissures and cracks on the roads appeared before a major or explosive eruption.
“Ito nao-observe natin na tuloy-tuloy na paglindol na malalaki kasama na ’yung fissuring ay naghuhudyat na meron talagang magma na umaakyat pa sa Taal,” Bornas said. “Fissures appear and then the ground sinks after a large eruption.”
“I think they (the residents near the volcano) should have already evacuated. We would like to reiterate the enforcement of evacuation,” she added.
Fractures on the ground were seen the past few days in various parts of Batangas, including the towns of Agoncillo, Lemery, San Nicolas, and Talisay.
“The drop is caused by the vacuum created underground when the volcano discharges magma to the surface,” Bornas explained. “Magma cannot flow from the fissures. These are ground deformation features.”
She recalled how historical accounts recorded the 1911 explosion as starting out with low level activity in the main crater on Jan. 27, followed by the appearance of fissures on Jan. 28. It was on Jan. 30 that the big eruption happened.
Bornas clarified that the presence of fissures cannot predict an explosive eruption; only that it is an indication there is a large volume of magma movement.
“The danger now is that while there is low surface activity in the volcano, the passage to the surface has already been cleared after hours of phreatic explosions during the first day,” Bornas said.
“Taal has been opened up. If there is magma coming from beneath, it will be able to quickly ascend. There are no more blockages,” she added.
Bornas assured the public that the Phivolcs is continuously monitoring the volcano but has also reiterated that, at Alert Level 4, people should understand that an explosive eruption can happen any time./PN
