Latest news with #PhilippineInstituteofVolcanologyandSeismology
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
PHIVOLCS: 1 phreatomagmatic eruption, 6 volcanic quakes in Taal Volcano
Photo of the minor phreatomagmatic eruptive events recorded at the Taal Main Crater on Thursday, July 17, 2025. PHIVOLCS A phreatomagmatic eruption event and six volcanic earthquakes, including five volcanic tremors, have been recorded in Taal Volcano on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Friday. In its bulletin, PHIVOLCS said the phreatomagmatic eruption event lasted up to 12 minutes, while the volcanic earthquakes lasted two to six minutes. A weak emission of plumes reaching up to 400 meters tall was also observed from Taal Volcano, drifting southeast. Also, a long-term deflation of the Taal Caldera and short-term inflation of the southeastern flank of the Taal Volcano Island were observed. Taal Volcano emitted 504 tonnes of sulfur dioxide gas on Tuesday. The temperature in the Main Crater Lake was at 68.7 degrees Celsius as of April 15, while the acidity level in the same area was at 0.3 as of February 19. Missing sabungeros Taal Volcano had an eruption on Thursday amid the continuing search and retrieval operations at Taal Lake for the remains of missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros. In a press conference, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said authorities will heed PHIVOLCS' advisory on whether or not it is safe to proceed with the search. Asked if the search operations will be halted due to the minor phreatic eruption at the Taal Volcano, Remulla said, "Well, pag hindi healthy—kung ito ay magiging balakid sa health ng tao tigil muna. PHIVOLCS will advise us kung ano, kung safe or hindi," he said. (Well, if it's not healthy—if this will be detrimental to people's health—then we stop for now. PHIVOLCS will advise us on what to do, whether it's safe or not.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Star
17-07-2025
- The Star
Volcanic eruption ends day's search for bodies of Filipino cockfighters
LAUREL, (Philippines): Divers searching for dozens of murdered cockfighters in a lake south of Manila were forced to exit the water Thursday (July 17) when the volcanic island in its centre erupted unexpectedly. The low-level eruption, which sent a plume of steam billowing 2,400 metres (7,900 feet) skyward from Lake Taal volcano, came a week into the search for the remains of people allegedly killed by rogue police for their involvement in fixing cockfights. "The (dives) were temporarily terminated," an official involved in the search who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP, adding a number of divers had been in the water at the time of the eruption. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the volcano had experienced "minor phreatomagmatic eruptive events" just after 3:00 pm (0700 GMT). The agency's Mara Antonia Bornas said the volcano had been at a low alert level since 2021 and that no major eruptions were predicted. The divers would not be affected, and only the volcano island in the middle of the lake was "under precaution", she said. Since beginning the search on July 10, the Philippine Coast Guard has found five bags at the bottom of the lake, some of which may have contained human bones. Police are conducting forensic testing to determine if the bones are human and if they match the DNA of the missing cockfighters. Fifteen police officers are under investigation over the spate of mysterious 2022 disappearances in the country's huge cockfighting industry. The case erupted back into the public consciousness last month with the televised appearance of a witness claiming to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal. Located about two hours south of Manila, the lake spans more than 230 square kilometres (89 square miles) and reaches depths of 172 metres in some places. Filipinos from all walks of life wager millions of dollars on matches every week between roosters who fight to the death with razor-sharp metal spurs tied to their legs. Cockfighting, banned in many other countries, survived coronavirus pandemic restrictions by going online, drawing many more gamblers who use their mobile phones to place wagers. Former president Rodrigo Duterte banned the livestreaming of cockfights shortly before leaving office in 2022, but it has continued due to lax enforcement. - AFP
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
No damage from magnitude 5.5 quake in Northern Luzon
No damage has been reported, so far, from the magnitude 5.5 earthquake that shook parts of Northern Luzon late morning on July 15, 2025. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the quake struck at 10:38 a.m. with its epicenter in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 43 kilometers. Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage from a store in Pasuquin showed products falling off shelves and parked motorcycles swaying during the quake. In another video taken at a construction site in Ilocos Norte, workers were seen climbing down slowly from the upper floors of a building as the tremor hit. In San Juan, Ilocos Sur, store items were also seen shaking slightly during the quake. The quake was felt strongly in several areas, with these reported intensities: Intensity V in Bacarra, Laoag City, Pasuquin, and Vintar (Ilocos Norte); Cabugao, Sinait, and Vigan City (Ilocos Sur) in Bacarra, Laoag City, Pasuquin, and Vintar (Ilocos Norte); Cabugao, Sinait, and Vigan City (Ilocos Sur) Intensity IV in Batac City, Paoay, and San Nicolas (Ilocos Norte); and parts of Ilocos Sur in Batac City, Paoay, and San Nicolas (Ilocos Norte); and parts of Ilocos Sur Weaker intensities were felt in parts of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Cagayan, and Isabela. Despite the strong shaking, authorities confirmed there were no immediate reports of damage. 'As per our latest monitoring and communication with PDRRMO ng Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, wala naman pong damage reports. However, ongoing ang assessment ng ating local DRRMOs sa kanilang areas of responsibility,' Adreanne Pagsolingan of the Office of Civil Defense Region 1 said. Officials have advised residents to remain alert and prepare for possible aftershocks. As a precaution, Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos and Ilocos Sur Acting Governor Ryan Singson suspended classes in all levels, both public and private, for the afternoon on the same day.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
6.1-magnitude offshore earthquake hits southern Philippines
MANILA (Xinhua): An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 hit waters off the southern Philippines on Saturday (June 28) morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The institute said the quake, which occurred at 7:07 a.m. local time (2307 GMT), hit at a depth of 79 km, about 85 km southeast of Sarangani town in Davao Occidental province. The institute said the tectonic quake is expected to trigger aftershocks but does not pose a tsunami threat. There is no report of casualties or damage. The archipelagic Philippines has frequent seismic activities due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire." - XInhua
Arab Times
28-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab Times
6.1-magnitude offshore earthquake hits southern Philippines
MANILA, June 28, (Xinhua): An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 hit waters off the southern Philippines on Saturday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The institute said the quake, which occurred at 7:07 a.m. local time (2307 GMT), hit at a depth of 79 km, about 85 km southeast of Sarangani town in Davao Occidental province. The institute said the tectonic quake is expected to trigger aftershocks but does not pose a tsunami threat. There is no report of casualties or damage. The archipelagic Philippines has frequent seismic activities due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire."
