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The
state volcanology and seismology institute said it observed
upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Taal volcano's crater
lake, resulting in the emission of volcanic gases.
The alert remained at level 1 on a five-level scale, denoting a
"slight increase in volcanic earthquake, and steam or gas
activity".
Located in a scenic lake in Batangas province near Manila, the
311-metre (1,020-foot) Taal is among the most active of 24
volcanoes in the Philippines.
In January 2020, it spewed a column of ash and steam as high as
15 km (9.32 miles), forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate
and dozens of flight cancellations as heavy ash fell as far away
as Manila.
"We have reports of respiratory illnesses in Batangas province
due to intoxication from the volcanic smog," Randy Dela Paz,
operations section chief at the civil defense's southern Manila
office, told DWPM radio.
Volcanic smog, or vog, consists of fine droplets containing
volcanic gas like sulfur that can cause irritation of the eyes,
throat and respiratory tract.
Authorities suspended Friday classes in dozens of towns and
cities Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas provinces adjacent to Taal
volcano, and in five cities in the capital region.
The aviation authority on Friday told pilots to avoid flying
close to the volcano's summit "as airborne ash and ballistic
fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircrafts".
The Philippines is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where volcanic
activity and earthquakes are common.
(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Michael Perry)
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