Taal volcano emits voluminous toxic gas, ‘vog’ reappears
Taal Volcano in Batangas province emitted more sulfur dioxide (SO2) on Saturday, August 31, causing the reappearance of volcanic smog or “vog.”
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported in its latest bulletin issued on Sunday morning, September 1, that the volcano released a “voluminous emission” of 9,645 metric tons (MT) of SO2 from the volcano’s main crater in the past 24 hours.
The plumes rose to 2,400 meters above Taal Volcano Island, the volcano’s crater landmass, locally known as “Pulo,” that sits within Taal Lake, before drifting northwest.
The latest emission was a huge increase from the recorded 2,921 MT from August 26 to 28 and 4,389 MT logged on August 29 to 30.
Taal has emitted an average of 7,777 tons/day of SO2 for the year and has been continuously degassing voluminous concentrations since 2021.
Phivolcs again noted an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the main crater lake.
No earthquake was recorded during this latest monitoring period.
State volcanologists also observed the renewed presence of “vog” during this time after it disappeared on August 21.
The vog returned on August 26 but disappeared again the next day.
Vog is composed of SO2 gas. It can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. People with respiratory conditions and pregnant women are at greater risk.
