Philippines authorities have downgraded Taal volcano’s alert level from 4 to 3, on a scale of five. The volcano no longer poses an immediate threat to life but Taal is still showing signs of magma movement, which could precede an eruption.
On Thursday, January 23, the European Space Agency (ESA) photographed the erupting volcano with the aid of its Sentinel-2 satellite.
The birds-eye-view image shows “bright red” activity within Taal’s crater and a blanket of ash covering Tall Volcano Island.
Taal erupted on January 12 for the first time in 43, years forcing hundreds of thousands of Luzon Island residents to flee from around the Philippines volcano.
The eruption belched a thick column of smoke and ash up to 9.3 miles (15km) high.
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ESA said: “The optical image has also been processed using the mission’s short-wave infrared band to show ongoing activity in the crater, visible in bright red.
PHIVOLCS said: “DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island and nearby lakeshores.
“DOST-PHIVOLCS recommends that entry into the Taal Volcano Island as well as into areas over Taal Lake and communities west of the island within a 7km radius from the Main Crater must be strictly prohibited.
“Local government units are advised to assess areas outside the 7km radius for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.
“People are also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall and minor earthquakes.”
The agency also warned unexpected blasts and airborne debris from the volcano could pose a threat to aircraft.