The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level from 3 to 4 amid the ongoing unrest at the Taal Volcano.
Raising of Taal Volcano Alert Level from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 4 #TaalVolcano #TaalEruption2020 pic.twitter.com/cmOVUTNFFS
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) January 12, 2020
PHIVOLCS also said that a volcanic tsunami could occur and people in nearby areas should be evacuated.
Earlier, the Manila Airport's manager said that flights were temporarily suspended from the airport after the Taal Volcano spewed ash. Arriving flights were also put on hold, the manager added.
Edit: Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been temporarily suspended due to the volcanic ash from the eruption of Taal Volcano. Kindly coordinate with your respective air carriers for details on flight schedules.
— NAIA (@MIAAGovPH) January 12, 2020
Evacuations are underway in towns of San Nicolas, Balete and Talisa in the province of Batangas, which have a combined population of more than 90,000 people.
The Taal Volcano, which is a popular tourist spot, started spewing ash early on Sunday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the volcano has manifested "increased steaming activity in at least five spots inside the main crater”.
Local residents have been sharing photos and videos of the volcano unrest on social media.
PH armys and to everyone near that area pls keep safe. God is with us #TaalVolcano #BestFanArmy #BTSARMY #iHeartAwards pic.twitter.com/v1q8qH45dR
— ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ (@jmserendipity1) January 12, 2020
Lightning strikes at taal volcano, keep safe everyone. 🥺🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Wn333gv5Iu
— ACA (@ricuuuuuuuhh) January 12, 2020
Keep Safe Guys🙏 #TaalVolcano pic.twitter.com/Fv0Xm2ISQh
— . (@tweet_022) January 12, 2020
Update: Phreatic explosion of Taal Volcano is still ongoing as of 4:30 PM pic.twitter.com/gvn7Z806Wy
— Rica-Mae Espineli (@RicaHyphenMae) January 12, 2020
The Philippines is situated in the seismic area known as the Ring of Fire which encircles the Pacific Ocean.
