Chief of Phivolcs’ volcano monitoring and eruption prediction Antonia Bornas added that based on Taal’s eruption history, fissures show up when the volcano’s main crater erupts.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) — The cracks found in Batangas streets may get worse if a stronger eruption happens in Taal Volcano, state volcanologists warned on Wednesday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said cracks — called fissures — were found in several barangays in Sinisian, Mahabang Dahilig, Dayapan, Palanas, Sangalang, Poblacion, Mataas na Bayan in Lemery, Pansipit, Bilibinwang, Agoncillo, Poblacion 1235 in Talisay, and Poblacion in San Nicolas in Batangas. The fissures caused several houses to partially collapse following the steam-driven and magmatic eruptions that have been happening since January 12.
Fissures are signs that magma or molten rock is moving towards the Taal Volcano crater, which may lead to further eruptive activity.
She added that based on Taal’s eruption history, fissures show up when the volcano’s main crater erupts.
“Mayroon pang umaakyat sa ilalim ng bulkan kasi sige sige ang volcanic earthquakes at ngayon nga ay nag-bulge ang Taal region at nagkaroon tayo ng fissuring,” she said.
[Translation: Magma is moving up from under the volcano because of the volcanic earthquakes. This caused the fissuring in Taal region.]
Bornas said the fissuring seen in this eruptive episode of Taal Volcano are exactly the same cracks that showed up during the 1911 eruption. In January 1911, cracks appeared on the streets before the climactic eruption, then portions of the ground sank, she said.
The Phivolcs official, who has studied the activity of Taal for years, said the current situation isn’t as bad as the one that occurred decades ago. But she warned one explosive eruption will make the fissures worse.
“Sa ngayon yung fissures hindi pa bumabagsak. Baka lumaki pa yan kapag nagbuga na ng malaki yung bulkan… Kumbaga hindi pa nanganganak ang fissures na ito,” she said.
[Translation: The fissures haven’t moved downwards yet. It may get worse if the volcano has a hazardous explosion. For now, it’s not yet there.]
Phivolcs said it’s a good strategy to “memorialize” or preserve damaged houses and properties due to Taal’s eruption, adding this will serve as a warning to stop other people from residing in the area.
Phivolcs said they are working with international space organizations to measure the width and depth of fissuring using satellite technology.
Taal Volcano’s activities were generally weaker on Wednesday, but the eruptions are continuous. The volcano remains on Alert Level 4, which means a hazardous eruption is imminent.
