Awesome But Deadly: Taal Volcano Eruption Is A Reminder That Nature Is Unpredictable

The Taal volcano is one of the most popular Tagaytay destinations, but on Sunday afternoon, January 12, 2020, the breathtaking, scenic views turned deadly as the volcano let out a phreatic or steam-driven eruption. Soon after, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised alert levels two, three, and four in the next few hours. An Alert Level 4 means a “hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.”

Inside the Taal Volcano Main Crater taken on January 12, 2020. The eruption was captured by PHIVOLCS IP camera at 5-minute interval from 1 PM to 3 PM. #HandaAngMayAlam #TaalVolcano #TaalEruption2020 pic.twitter.com/kA2HZ4aYQs

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) January 12, 2020

The agency immediately stressed that all residents of the Taal Volcano Island evacuate and declared the island a Permanent Danger Zone. Thousand others in the areas of Tagaytay City in Cavite, and in Balete, Laurel, San Nicolas, and Agoncillo in Batangas have also left their homes for their safety.

Since the volcano started to spew ash and steam, ashfall also spread to several areas including Calabarzon and Metro Manila. Volcanic earthquakes and aftershocks have also been recorded.

Taal is the second-most active volcano in the Philippines. It last erupted in 1977. According to reports, the PHIVOLCS has been monitoring the Taal volcano since March 2019, but it only showed a marked (and rapid) increase in volcanic activity on Sunday.

Predicting when a volcano will erupt is difficult, especially when a volcano has been dormant for many years, according to the BBC. In a public Facebook post, Rich Ybañez, an instructor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences in the University of the Philippines, shared that an eruption may or may not happen in the next days. “Scientists can only observe, predict, and anticipate, but there is no 100% sure way to know,” he wrote.

Here are some of the photos of the Taal volcano eruption as it happened and its aftermath:

Katrina Tiong and Dave Remulla were at the view deck of the Taal Vista Hotel when they witnessed the explosion.

A similar photo taken in the same hotel was posted by Instagram user @coffee_dante.

In Batangas, Michael Angelo Luna was able to capture volcanic lightning caused by the eruption.

Here's a shot from PHIVOLCS of  a lava fountain coming from the Taal volcano.

Ashfall with large particle called lapilli from #Taaleruption2020 has fallen in Tanuan, Talisay, Tagaytay, Nuvali, & Sta Rosa, Laguna. 26 quakes w/ intensities II-V were felt in Tagaytay, Cabuyao, Talisay, Alitagtag, Lemery & Balite, Batangas. Intense seismic activity prevailed. pic.twitter.com/CBqa35lYbW

— jaime s. sincioco (@jaimessincioco) January 12, 2020

After the eruption, heavy ashfall spread in neighboring areas. Here's the People's Park in Tagaytay.

LOOK: People's Park in Tagaytay City covered in ashfall.

Send us photos of your current location affected by #TaalEruption2020.

Photos by Jerome Austrian Abuan#GoCavite pic.twitter.com/z8xPIjEmTH

— gocavite (@gocavite) January 13, 2020

Agoncillo town, the nearest area in the Taal crater lake, turned into a “desert” after the whole site was covered with gray ashes and coconut trees were almost flattened. @manilabulletin

Photos: Pale Colona Alilio pic.twitter.com/tksOoVIbAb

— Hanah Tabios (@hanahtabios) January 13, 2020

This is how thick the ashfall in our house in Laguna. Stay safe everyone! #ashfall #TaalPH #TaalEruption2020 pic.twitter.com/8cJ6iXzOPP

— ?? ???? Dianne ???????????????? (@dianeWinBang2n1) January 13, 2020

Rescue operations for the animals trapped in the island are also ongoing.

Dealing with ashfall in your home? Click here for a guide on how to properly clean it.