I am not an expert (corrections from our scientists and experts are most welcome), but there are lots of scientific terms being used to describe Taal Volcano’s unrest today. So with some research, I’ll try to define some of the terms you’ll see/hear in the news today:
Phreatic explosion/eruption: steam-driven explosions; occur when water beneath the ground or on surface is heated by volcanic activity.
This can often precede, accompany or follow a more traditional volcanic eruption.
From US Geological Survey: usgs.gov/news/earthword…
This can often precede, accompany or follow a more traditional volcanic eruption.
From US Geological Survey: usgs.gov/news/earthword…
Eruption plume/column: vertical pillar of tephra (rock fragments forcibly expelled by volcano) and gases that rise directly above volcanic vent
Eruption cloud: cloud of tephra and gases formed downwind of volcano
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/e…
Eruption cloud: cloud of tephra and gases formed downwind of volcano
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/e…
To monitor the alert levels of Taal Volcano (and other Philippine volcanoes), you can refer to Phivolcs' volcano monitoring here: phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/volc…
Taal has five alert levels. We are currently at level 4, which means hazardous eruption is possible within hours or days.
Taal has five alert levels. We are currently at level 4, which means hazardous eruption is possible within hours or days.
Seismic swarm: series of minor earthquakes happening in the same area and time
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/s…
Continuing seismic swarms are among the criteria being monitored by Phivolcs to determine the volcano’s alert level.
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/s…
Continuing seismic swarms are among the criteria being monitored by Phivolcs to determine the volcano’s alert level.
Pyroclastic current/flow: fast-moving current that contains a dangerous mix of hot lava blocks, pumice, ash and volcanic gas
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/pyroclasti…
I’ve spoken with Phivolcs just now and they said this is really what they are watching out for.
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/pyroclasti…
I’ve spoken with Phivolcs just now and they said this is really what they are watching out for.
In our brief interview, Phivolcs’ volcano monitoring division chief Mariton Bornas described pyroclastic currents as “bumubulusok mula sa main crater.”
Unlike a lava flow, these move very, very fast and can burn anything in its path.
From NatGeo: nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/p…
Unlike a lava flow, these move very, very fast and can burn anything in its path.
From NatGeo: nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/p…
Volcanic tsunami: mass movement of water caused by a volcano; can be caused by underwater explosions and shock waves caused by large explosions
More from Scientific American: blogs.scientificamerican.com/rosetta-stones…
More from Scientific American: blogs.scientificamerican.com/rosetta-stones…
From Sir Mahar Lagmay @nababaha of UP Resilience Institute:
From @phivolcs_dost, what to do before, during and after ashfall:
A question raised earlier: Is Taal Volcano already erupting?
From Phivolcs director Renato Solidum (over DZMM): Eruptions happen when gas and rocks come out from inside a volcano. Eruptions can be explosive or not. What’s happening with Taal now is an “explosive eruption.”
From Phivolcs director Renato Solidum (over DZMM): Eruptions happen when gas and rocks come out from inside a volcano. Eruptions can be explosive or not. What’s happening with Taal now is an “explosive eruption.”
Useful info from @volcaNAO showing areas included in the 14-kilometer radius from Taal‘s crater.
Phivolcs’ latest bulletin recommended total evacuation of Taal Volcano island and in high-risk areas within the 14-km radius due to pyroclastic flows.
Phivolcs’ latest bulletin recommended total evacuation of Taal Volcano island and in high-risk areas within the 14-km radius due to pyroclastic flows.
Official Taal Volcano hazard maps from @phivolcs_dost
@phivolcs_dost Citing satellite imagery, Pagasa weather specialist Ariel Rojas said that as of 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Taal Volcano’s volcanic plumes, or mixture of particles and gas from an eruption, have already reached as far north as Babuyan Islands.
@phivolcs_dost By 10:40 p.m., Rojas said satellite imagery showed that the volcanic plumes from Taal Volcano had become thinner, but must be monitored for any changes.
Lava fountain: jet of lava sprayed into air by the rapid formation and expansion of gas bubbles in molten rock
Lava: general term for magma (molten rock) that erupted into Earth’s surface and remained liquid/viscous
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/l…
Lava: general term for magma (molten rock) that erupted into Earth’s surface and remained liquid/viscous
From USGS: volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/l…
