Restive Volcano in Philippines Spews Sulfur Dioxide and Smog, Prompts School Closures
BATANGAS, Sept 22 – The Taal volcano, a small but active volcano near Manila, Philippines, emitted above-average levels of sulfur dioxide and volcanic smog on Friday, leading authorities to close schools in several cities and towns. Residents were also advised to stay indoors to avoid potential health risks.
According to the state volcanology and seismology institute, the volcano’s crater lake witnessed the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids, resulting in the release of volcanic gases. This phenomenon contributed to heavy pollution and haze in the capital region.
As of now, the alert level for Taal volcano remains at level 1 on a five-level scale, indicating a slight increase in volcanic earthquakes and steam or gas activity.
Taal volcano, located in Batangas province near Manila, stands at a height of 311 meters (1,020 feet) and is among the most active of the 24 volcanoes in the Philippines.
The current situation is causing inconvenience and health issues for locals. Kennard Kaagbay, a tricycle driver in the province, complained about throat irritation caused by the volcanic smog. “It’s bad for me to inhale the air because I have asthma. Our passengers also prefer not to go out due to the smog, so we haven’t had many passengers recently,” Kaagbay said.
This is not the first time Taal volcano has caused trouble. In January 2020, it erupted, spewing a column of ash and steam as high as 15 kilometers (9.32 miles). This forced over 100,000 people to evacuate and led to numerous flight cancellations as heavy ashfall reached as far as Manila.
Reports have emerged of respiratory illnesses in the province due to intoxication from the volcanic smog. Randy Dela Paz, the operations section chief of the civil defense’s southern Manila office, confirmed the cases.
Volcanic smog, also known as vog, consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gases, such as sulfur, which can irritate the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract.
To ensure the safety of the public, classes were suspended in several cities in the capital region, as well as in dozens of towns and cities in Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas provinces.
In addition, the aviation authority has issued a notice to pilots, advising them to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit.
The Philippines, situated in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is no stranger to volcanic activity and earthquakes.
Reporting by Adrian Portugal and Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Michael Perry and Sharon Singleton