Philippines Taal volcano spews lava with eruption imminent

13 January 2020, 09:33

By Sylvia DeLuca

A vast column of ash, smoke and jets of lava have begun spewing from the Taal volcano in the Philippines after scientists warned of an eruption "within hours or days."

The natural phenomenon at the second most active volcano in the Philippines has triggered the mass evacuation of 8,000 people from the area.

The threat level has been raised from 3 to 4 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, meaning a hazardous eruption is imminent.

A statement said: "Hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days. (The institute) strongly reiterates total evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and additional evacuation of areas at high risk... within a 14km radius."

The Taal Volcano is situated on an island in the middle of a lake some 70km (45 miles) south of the capital Manila.

The Taal Volcano erupts with a massive plume of ash and steam in Batangas Province, the Philippines,
The Taal Volcano erupts with a massive plume of ash and steam in Batangas Province, the Philippines,. Picture: PA
Lightning flashes as the Taal volcano erupts in Tagaytay, the Philippines
Lightning flashes as the Taal volcano erupts in Tagaytay, the Philippines. Picture: PA
Residents walk along a muddied road after Taal volcano began spewing ash over Tanauan town
Residents walk along a muddied road after Taal volcano began spewing ash over Tanauan town. Picture: Getty

Over 240 international and domestic flights have been cancelled at the country's main airport.

Offices and schools in the region have also been forced to close, as scientists say residents have been caught out by the volcano's sudden activity.

Volcanic lightning has been flickering as steam and ash erupts from the Taal volcano. There have been no reports of injuries or damage so far.

Taal is one of the smallest volcanos in the world, and is among two dozen active cones in the Philippines, which lies along the so-called Pacific 'ring of fire'.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus falls from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing at least 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison for crypto fraud

France Valentino

Former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele named Valentino creative director

Russia Shooting

Russia arrests another suspect in concert hall attack that killed 143

American Easter egg

White House’s annual Easter egg roll to be attended by 40,000 people

Barbers in Paris

Proposal to ban discrimination over a person’s hair passes first legal hurdle

Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian Authority names new government following pressure to reform

Arvind Kejriwal

Opposition leader Kejriwal locked up for further four days, court rules

Resident clears rubble from home

Russia wears down Ukrainian defences with missile and drone attacks

Pope Francis

Pope urges priests to avoid ‘clerical hypocrisy’ in Maundy Thursday speech