Fountains of red-hot lava erupted into the sky to a height of 500 meters, and dark plumes of ash and steam reached a height of two km. More than 200 earthquakes were detected in and around Taal, of which 81 were felt with various intensity.
“Such intense seismic activity likely indicates continued magma intrusion beneath the Taal structure, which could lead to further eruptive activity,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
The state’s chief seismologist, Renato Solidum, warned that residents shouldn’t return to their homes inside 14 km of the volcano. In the past, Taal’s volcanic activity lasted several days, but in a single case in 1754 it lasted seven months, he added.
Solidum said ash fall from the volcano is problematic because a thick layer of ash on the roofs of homes may cause them to collapse, while “anytime nice ash is carried away by vehicles or strong winds, people can inhale it.”
Demand for N95 face masks has surged in recent days since Taal’s first eruption on Sunday, which sent an ash cloud 65 km north to the capital, Manila, and caused tons of of flights to be canceled and hundreds stranded at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The airport has since partially resumed operations.
Government officials warned against speculating on mask demand as supplies ran low and there have been reports that masks were being sold for 200 pesos (US$4), a major increase from the same old 30 pesos.
“Let us not use this opportunity to prey on others,” Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan told local media.
The Chinese embassy in Manila donated 1,000 masks, and the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry warned sellers that “speculation” can be “treated to the fullest extent of the law.”
Lava, lightning and “dangerous explosion inside hours,” but for some Filipinos, eerie calm
Lava, lightning and “dangerous explosion inside hours,” but for some Filipinos, eerie calm
In response, President Rodrigo Duterte suggested the opportunity of limiting the costs of masks that filter airborne particles.
“To those who cannot afford masks, we will distribute them for free… in times of crisis, the only thing I can do to control the situation is [to ask] military and police,” Duterte told reporters on Monday evening, also indicating that he planned to go to the affected area on Tuesday.
When asked where he was healthy enough to go to the realm, Duterte replied: “I could even eat ash and pee on Taal.”
Duterte also called on employers to suspend work because of the ashfall.
Taal Volcano is the deadliest within the Philippines, with over 6,000 deaths in its history
Taal Volcano is the deadliest within the Philippines, with over 6,000 deaths in its history
“We don’t control everyone,” he said. “So all we can do is tell them – and usually the government’s statement or narrative always has a persuasive effect.”
The Department of Labor and Employment said staff who “fail or refuse to work due to imminent danger resulting from a natural or man-made disaster shouldn’t be exposed to or subject to any administrative sanctions.”
On Sunday, just before the volcanic eruption, Chino Vaflor and Kat Bautista Palomar got married in a town lower than 10 km away.
“We noticed white smoke coming from Taal throughout the preparations around 2pm and from that moment we knew something unusual was happening to the volcano,” Randolf Evan, the couple’s wedding photographer who captured the explosion, told the BBC.
Evan said everyone felt they were “definitely secure since the event location was on high ground and indirectly next to the volcano.”
Meanwhile, ING Bank also warned that disruption brought on by Taal Volcano could cause a “temporary slowdown” for the Philippine economy.
Industrial and automobile assembly hubs were affected in these areas, and the Department of Agriculture estimated damage to crops and livestock at 75 million pesos ($1.5 million).
By midnight, about 36,000 people had been evacuated from 27 towns in Batangas and placed in 130 shelters, in response to the Office of Civil Defense.
A state of emergency has been declared in Batangas province, south of the capital.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
