Due to the Taal volcano eruption this afternoon, flight operations January 12,2020 in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were cancelled.
Taal volcano erupted late this afternoon. By 2.30 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) first raised an alert level 2, means increasing unrest.
“As of 5:30 pm, Taal Volcano main crater intensified as continuous eruption generated a tall 10-15 kilometer steam-laden tephra column with frequent volcanic lightning that rained wet ashfall on the general north as far as Quezon City”, Philvocs reported.
Further, the suspension of all flights were announced around 6 p.m. when ash fall from the Taal vocation eruption reached Metro Manila.
Passengers are advised to coordinate their new schedules with their respective airlines.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, at least three towns in Batangas evacuated namely, Talisay, Balete, and San Nicolas
Taal Volcano Eruption Update
As of the 7:30 p.m. advisory, Philvocs raised the alert level to 4, which means the ‘hazardous’ eruption is imminent.
The volcanic eruption was caused by phreatic eruption, or a steam-driven episode. This means that the water on the surface or beneath the ground is being heated by the magma, lava, and volcanic deposits. Based on the information from Earth System Knowledge Platform, this eruption occurs without further forewarning.
Sources:
(1) https://www.philstar.com/happens/841
(2) https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/12/advisory-cancellation-of-flight-operations-due-to-ash-fall-from-taal-volcano-jan-12-2020/
(3) http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/12/PHIVOLCS-Taal-Volcano-explosion.html
Photo from: Inquirer