MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have been appealing to the public not to enter the areas considered to be within the 14-kilometer and 20-kilometer danger zones surrounding the Taal Volcano.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) noted that Taal Volcano has caused more than 500 tremors since its phreatic explosion last Sunday.
Phivolcs added that the fissures seen on the ground near the volcano; the drying up of the lake and the swelling of the volcanic crater, are signs of an imminent major explosive eruption.
The alert level 4 is still raised over Taal Volcano which prompted authorities to enforce the 14-kilometer permanent danger zone and the 20-kilometer extended danger zone.
Local governments within these zones must implement total evacuation.
Areas within the 14-kilometer-radius danger zone include the towns of Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Talisay, Balete, and Mataas na Kahoy; parts of Lemery, Laurel, Tagaytay City, Tanauan City, and Cuenca; and some barangays in the towns of Taal, Sta. Teresita, Alitagtag, San Jose, Lipa City, and Malvar.
To date, several towns in Batangas, such as Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Talisay, Taal, and Laurel are locked down.
Meanwhile, areas within the 20-kilometer-radius extended danger zone include Tagaytay City, Tanauan City, Malvar, Alitagtag, Sta. Teresita, Taal, Lemery, and Mendez; parts of Indang, Alfonso, Amadeo, and Silang in Cavite; as well as Calamba City in Laguna, Sto. Tomas, Malvar, Lipa City, San Jose, San Pascual, Bauan, San Luis, Calaca, Balayan, and Nasugbu in Batangas.
Based on the hazard map issued by Phivolcs, a base surge might happen following a major eruption.
Phivolcs said the intensity of the heat from the steam and ash brought about by the base surge will cause the temperature to rise to up to 1,000˚Celsius.
The areas that may be affected by the base surge include the towns of Talisay, San Nicolas, Laurel, Agoncillo, Lemery, Taal, Sta. Teresita, and Tanauan City; as well as some parts of Alitagtag, Cuenca, Mataas na Kahoy, Balete and Lipa City.
On the other hand, the ballistic projectile or areas that can be reached by rocks or boulders that Taal Volcano might spew in case of a major explosion include the towns of Talisay, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, and Lemery.
The explosion could also cause a tsunami in the lake which might affect the surrounding communities.
Authorities appealed to the public for cooperation and to refrain from going back to restricted areas until the volcanic activities have subsided. — (from the report of Bernard Dadis) /mbmf
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