Taal Volcano vog prompts health alert, school suspensions

Vog from Taal Volcano was observed Sunday through Wednesday morning but no vog was detected by PHIVOLCS on Thursday, August 22.

PHIVOLCS recommends limiting exposure to vog by staying indoors with windows closed and using N95 face masks or gas masks, while drinking plenty of water and seeking medical help if needed.

Classes were suspended in some parts of Calabarzon due to the vog, but as of Wednesday, only Cavinti, Pagsanjan, Magdalena, Jalajala, Pililla, and Taytay remained under suspension with schools shifting to modular or online learning.

PHIVOLCS detected 5,128 tons of sulfur dioxide emission on Tuesday, with plumes up to 2,100 meters tall drifting northwest and north-northwest.

Phivolcs noted a long-term deflation of the Taal Caldera and short-term inflation on the northern and southeastern flanks of the volcano while maintaining Alert Level 1 over the volcano.

No volcanic earthquakes were detected in the past day, but PHIVOLCS warns against entering the permanent danger zone or flying close to the volcano.