The Taal volcano has started erupting on Sunday, January 12, 2020, ejecting a large column of ash and prompting the evacuation of nearby communities.
Volcanic lightning hit the ash plume, making the sight even more menacing.
Another erupting volcano ‘goes electric’! The phreatic eruption is the first since 1977. And several volcanic lightnings hit the center of the ash column over the Tall volcano near Manila, Philippines.
Sorry but this is wow. Netizen captured the moment a lightning hit near the Taal Volcano area as seen from Tagaytay City on Sunday.
— Franche (@sy_franche) January 12, 2020
Video courtesy of Gevie Egera.
Keep safe everyone. pic.twitter.com/qRGniMtbn9
The alert level was raised from ‘abnormal’ (level 2) to ‘magmatic unrest’ (level 3), suggesting that the volcano might spew some lava.
TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN (UPDATE)
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) January 12, 2020
12 January 2020
04:00 PM
This serves as notice for the raising of the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest).
DOST-PHIVOLCS pic.twitter.com/v6v5kCPadg
The electric eruption happened after the level of seismicity increased in the area over the past few months.
Prayers and keep safe everyone near in Taal Volcano..????pic.twitter.com/Y4VwKCZqDz
— BI-cis131???? (@TaeTaeHart) January 12, 2020
The plume, first, white, darkened shortly afterwards, showing the presence of volcanic ash.
Few minutes after the eruption, ash fell on nearby communities, prompting the evacuation of more than 8,000 people in the direct vicinity of Taal.
WATCH: Lightning strikes at Taal Volcano’s ash column after its phreatic explosion. Video taken from Indang, Cavite. ? Angie Dela Cruz | @DJEsguerraINQ pic.twitter.com/SnAU1m9etr
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) January 12, 2020
Officials asked people living around the Taal lake to look for water disturbances and high waves.
Flights have also been suspended.
Edit: Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been temporarily suspended due to the volcanic ash from the eruption of Taal Volcano. Kindly coordinate with your respective air carriers for details on flight schedules.
— NAIA (@MIAAGovPH) January 12, 2020
The greatest recorded eruption of the Taal occurred in 1754 and lasted for nearly eight months in a row. Its deadliest blast occurred in 1911, killing over 1,3000 people and destroying all settlements around the lake. Similar headlines on Strange Sounds and Steve Quayle. [RT]
