Overall Orange alert Volcanic eruption for Taal
in Philippines

Event summary

ORANGE alert: The Taal Volcanic eruption is unlikely to require external humanitarian assistance based on the exposed population and coping capacity.

GDACS ID VO 273070
Name: Taal
Glide number: VO-2020-000002-PHL
Lat/Lon: 14.002 , 120.993
Event Date: 22 Jan 2020 UTC
Exposed Population 30km: About 3080000 people within 30km
Exposed Population 100km: About 29950000 people within 100km
Max Volc. Explosivity Index VEI: 6
Population Exposure Index PEI: 7
Inserted at: 22 Jan 2020 07:53 UTC

GDACS Score

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Virtual OSOCC
Meteo assessment
Satellite products
Analytical products
Philippines - Volcanic Eruption (ECHO 13 Jan 2020)Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:07

  • On 12 January, Taal volcano, located in the Batangas Province (central-western Luzon), started erupting an ash plume 10-15 km high, followed by a magmatic eruption including weak lava flow.
  • Widespread ashfall was recorded in several locations, including the cities of Manila and Quezon. Additionally, 75 volcanic earthquakes have been registered by the Philippine Seismic Network of which 32 have been felt by the population living close to the volcano.
  • According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), around 24,500 people have been displaced and sheltered in 75 evacuation centres in Batangas Province, seven cities experienced power outages and 3 roads have been closed.
  • The authorities deployed emergency teams to help those affected in the Batangas Province.
  • The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Technology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level to 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) and a further explosive eruption is possible within hours to days. Furthermore, people living in a radius of 14 km from the crater are under mandatory evacuation.
Philippines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 14 Jan 2020)Tue, 14 Jan 2020 11:05

  • Following the activity of Taal Volcano since 12 January, characterized by continuous magmatic and hydrovolcanic activity, 18,187 people are still displaced and sheltered in 118 evacuation centres located in Batangas Province. 
  • The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), reports more than 34,000 people affected, 3 roads closed, and 604 flights cancelled. 27,719 households in Tanauan City have lost power due to ashfall. The towns of Laurel and Talisay, San Nicolas, Agoncillo are still without power.
  • The authorities are conducting emergency operations and are continuously monitoring the volcano activity. State of calamity has been announced in Batangas province.
  • According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Technology (PHIVOLCS), as of 14 January, the alert level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) remains in effect as well as the mandatory evacuation order for the 500 000 people living in a radius of 14 km from the crater.
  • DG ECHO partners such as are Save the Children, Philippine Red Cross, Oxfam, and other national NGOs are actively contributing to the emergency response.
  • Copernicus EMS was activated on 13 January in rapid mapping mode (). 2 satellite maps were already produced. 
Philippines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 15 Jan 2020)Wed, 15 Jan 2020 11:07

  • According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) a total of 12,486 households (53,019 people) have been affected by the eruption of Taal volcano on Luzon with 10,000 of these (43,681 people) housed in 217 evacuation centres. 12 cities/municipalities have seen power outages in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas provinces.
  • Various government agencies and the World Food Programme (WFP) are supporting the response together with hundreds of volunteers. Classes and work in cities/municipalities further away from the volcano have resumed and all road sections surrounding the volcano are now passable.
  • 466 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded since 12 January and an alert level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) remains in effect. Mandatory evacuations are still ongoing within the danger area, with more than 350,000 people living within this 14 km radius of the volcano. 
  • The EU's Copernicus emergency satelite mapping service was activated on 13 January in rapid mapping mode and have been produced.
  • A DG ECHO humanitarian expert has been deployed to the affected areas to assess the situation.
Philippines - Volcanic Eruption update (ECHO 16 Jan 2020)Thu, 16 Jan 2020 11:07

  • Over the past 24 hours, Tall volcano erupted an ash plume up to 800 meters high. The ash dispersed southwest of the Main Crater but the activity is slightly weakening.
  • A total of 566 volcanic earthquakes have been registered since 12 January.
  • According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), more than 53,000 people have been sheltered in 244 evacuation centres located in the Provinces of Cavite and Batangas and more than 65,000 have been affected. In addition, 5 roads have been closed, 632 flights cancelled and 20 municipalities experinced power interruption.
  • The alert Level 4 remains in effect as well as the mandatory evacuation order for people living in a radius of 14 km from the Main Crater.
  • The European Commission EMS was activated on 13 January in rapid mapping mode (EMSR 418) and 2 satellite maps were produced.
Philippines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 22 Jan 2020)Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:01

  • Over the last 24 hours, Taal volcano erupted white steam-laden plumes up to 500 meters high from its main crater and 481 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded.
  • The Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Centre (DROMIC) reports more than 237,000 displaced people (148,987 sheltered in 493 evacuation centres) and 282,237 affected across 4 provinces of Calabarzon Region (Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Quezon).
  • The authorities continue to provide those affected with emergency relief and medical assistance.
  • DG ECHO's partners (Philippine Red Cross/IFRC, Save the children, OXFAM among others) are also provding first assistance to the displaced population.
  • A level 4 alert is still in effect from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Technology (PHIVOLCS), as well as a mandatory evacuation order for people living in a 14 km radius from the main crater and along the Pansipit River Valley.
  • The EU's Copernicus emergency satelite mapping service was activated on 13 January and have been produced.
Philippines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 23 Jan 2020)Thu, 23 Jan 2020 11:02

  • According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Technology (PHIVOLCS), Taal volcano continues to witness weak to moderate white steam-laden plumes up to 500 metres above its main crater.
  • The national Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Centre (DROMIC) have counted more than 266,000 people displaced (147,873 sheltered in 500 evacuation centres) and 316,989 affected in Calabarzon Region.
  • The level 4 alert and mandatory evacuation order for people within a 14 km radius from the main crater and along the Pansipit River Valley remain in effect.
  • The EU's Copernicus emergency satelite mapping service was activated on 13 January and 3 maps have been produced.
Philippines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 24 Jan 2020)Fri, 24 Jan 2020 11:03

  • According to the National Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Centre (DROMIC), as of 24 January, 281,907 people have been displaced (137,538 evacuated in 488 evacuation centres) and more than 346,000 affected across four Provinces of Calabarazon Region.
  • The European Commission announced €750,000 in emergency humanitarian funding to support those that have lost homes, belongings and livelihoods. 
  • The level 4 alert and mandatory evacuation order within a 14 km radius of the main crater and along the Pansipit River Valley are still in effect.
  • The EU's Copernicus emergency satelite mapping service has produced of the crater and surrounding area.
Philippines - Volcanic eruption update Tue, 28 Jan 2020 11:04

  • Taal volcano continues to emit white steam-laden plumes up to 800 metres.
  • According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of 28 January, 135,610 people are in 535 evacuation centres, 170,732 are displaced and more than 396,731 affected in Batangas, Quezon, Laguna and Cavite. 165 families have been able to their homes from centres in Batangas and Laguna Provinces.
  • The provincial authorities are providing food, shelter, clothing, medicines and basic needs.
  • A lowered Alert Level 3 is in palce as well as mandatory evacuation for people living within 7 km radius of the main crater.
Philippines - Volcanic eruption update Mon, 03 Feb 2020 10:59

  • Over the past 24 hours, Taal volcano continues to erupt steam-laden plumes up to 800 meters high.
  • The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports, as of 3 February, 25,327 people still evacuated in 162 evacuation centres, 226,538 displaced and more than 480,000 affected across the Provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna and Cavite.
  • The European Commission provided EUR 750,000 DG ECHO ALERT funding (Acute Large Emergency Response Tool) as an immediate response.
  • According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Technology (PHIVOLCS), the Alert Level 3 remains in effect as well as a mandatory evacuation for people living within 7 km radius from the main crater.
  • The European Commission EMS was activated on 13 January in rapid mapping mode (EMSR 418) and 3 satellite maps have been produced.
Detailed event map. European Union, 2024. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Updates on volcanic activity (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report provides information about global volcanism on a weekly basis. Latest Taal report has been published on 15 Jan 2020 07:44.
PHIVOLCS reported that seismicity at Taal began to increase on 28 March 2019 and fluctuated between moderate and high levels throughout the year and into 2020. A seismic swarm beneath Taal began at 1100 on 12 January and a phreatic eruption commenced at 1300. The initial eruptive activity was characterized by increased steaming from at least five vents in Main Crater and phreatic explosions that generated 100-m-high plumes. PHIVOLCS raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 0-5) and reminded the public that the entire Volcano Island (the main cone of Taal) is in a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Booming was heard at 1400 in Talisay, Batangas (4 km NNE, all distances are measured from the center of Main Crater lake). Activity escalated at 1404; volcanic tremor and earthquakes felt locally were accompanied by an eruption plume that rose 1 km. Ash fell in the SSW part of Taal. The Alert Level was raised to 3 and the evacuation of high-risk barangays was recommended. Activity again intensified around 1730, prompting PHIVOLCS to raise the Alert Level to 4 and recommend a total evacuation of the island and high-risk areas within a 14-km radius. The eruption plume of steam, gas, and tephra significantly intensified and rose 10-15 km (32,800-49,200 ft) a.s.l., producing frequent lightning. Wet ash fell in areas downwind, including as far N as Quezon City (75 km). According to news articles schools and government offices were ordered to close and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (56 km N) in Manila suspended flights. About 6,000 people had been evacuated but the number was expected to rise. Residents described heavy ashfall, low visibility, and fallen trees. Ashfall was reported in a wide area; in a statement issued at 0320 on 13 January PHIVOLCS noted that ashfall was reported in Tanauan (18 km NE), Batangas; Escala (11 km NW), Tagaytay; Sta. Rosa (32 km NNW), Laguna; Dasmari?as (32 km N), Bacoor (44 km N), and Silang (22 km N), Cavite; Malolos (93 km N), San Jose Del Monte (87 km N), and Meycauayan (80 km N), Bulacan; Antipolo (68 km NNE), Rizal; Muntinlupa (43 km N), Las Pi?as (47 km N), Marikina (70 km NNE), Para?aque (51 km N), Pasig (62 km NNE), Quezon City, Mandaluyong (62 km N), San Juan (64 km N), Manila; Makati City (59 km N) and Taguig City (55 km N). Lapilli (2-64 mm in diameter) fell in Tanauan and Talisay; Tagaytay City (12 km N); Nuvali (25 km NNE) and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Felt earthquakes (Intensities II-V) continued to be recorded in local areas. The eruption progressed to a magmatic eruption during 0249-0428 on 13 January, characterized by weak lava fountaining accompanied by thunder and flashes of lightning. Activity briefly waned then resumed with sporadic weak fountaining and explosions that generated 2-km-high, dark gray, steam-laden plumes. New lateral vents opened on the N flank, producing 500-m-tall lava fountains. Heavy ashfall impacted areas SW including in Cuenca (15 km SSW), Lemery (16 km SW), Talisay, and Taal (15 km SSW), Batangas. News articles noted that more than 300 domestic and 230 international flights were cancelled as the Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport was closed during 12-13 January; some flights could depart in the early afternoon of 13 January. Some roads from Talisay to Lemery and Agoncillo were impassible and electricity and water services were intermittent. Ashfall in several provinces caused power outages. Authorities continued to evacuate high-risk areas within a 14-km radius of Taal; by 13 January more than 24,500 people had moved to 75 shelters out of a total number of 460,000 people within 14 km. In a bulletin posted at 0800 on 14 January PHIVOLCS noted that lava fountaining continued and steam plumes rose form Main Crater. Fissures on the N flank produced 500-m-tall lava fountains. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 5,299 tonnes/day on 13 January. By 1300 lava fountaining generated 800-m-tall, dark gray, steam-laden plumes that drifted SW. New ground cracks were observed in Sinisian (18 km SW), Mahabang Dahilig (14 km SW), Dayapan (15 km SW), Palanas (17 km SW), Sangalang (17 km SW), and Poblacion (19 km SW) Lemery; Pansipit (11 km SW), Agoncillo; Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 3, Poblacion 5 (all around 17 km SW), Talisay, and Poblacion (11 km SW), San Nicolas. A fissure opened across the road connecting Agoncillo to Laurel, Batangas. At 0800 on 15 January PHIVOLCS stated that activity was generally weaker; dark gray, steam-laden plumes rose about 1 km and drifted SW. Since 1300 on 12 January the seismic network had recorded a total of 446 volcanic earthquakes, with 156 of those felt with Intensities of I-V. New ground cracking was reported in Sambal Ibaba (17 km SW), and portions of the Pansipit River (SW) had dried up. Satellite images showed that the Main Crater lake was gone and new craters had formed inside Main Crater and on the N flank. According to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) there were a total of 53,832 people dispersed to 244 evacuation centers by 1800 on 15 January. Sources: Bloomeberg ,Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC),Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) ,ReliefWeb,The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
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Latest media headlines

Articles: 844 | About casualties: 17 | Last hour: 0

News Phivolcs: Taal Volcano belches more steam, sulfur dioxideSat, 25 Jan 2020 06:18:00 +0100.

MANILA - The Taal Volcano spewed an increased amount of steam and sulfur dioxide in the past 24 hours, Phivolcs said Saturday. In its 8 a.m. bulletin , the state seismology agency said the emission of white-colored steam had reached 100 to
...(more)
Taal volcano: IMMINENT eruption possible as Philippines volcano is hit ... Sat, 25 Jan 2020 04:51:00 +0100.

A Taal volcano update by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) at midnight on Friday (8am local time) warned of imminent volcanic activity in the coming “hours to days”. Taal volcano was showing signs of magmatic
...(more)
Don’t Be Fooled By Taal Volcano’s Lack Of Eruptive FireworksFri, 24 Jan 2020 18:43:00 +0100.

An aerial view shows the Taal volcano in Batangas province on January 20, 2020. - Decimated fish, scarred coffee plants and vanished tourists: the Taal volcano eruption in the Philippines has inflicted significant damage on the livelihoods
...(more)
Vulcano Taal nelle Filippine: il paesaggio spettrale dell'isola copert ... Fri, 24 Jan 2020 12:21:00 +0100.

Le autorità locali mantengono alta l'allerta. Il governo non consentirà più agli abitanti dei villaggi di tornare sull'isola costellata di crateri e coperta di cenere dopo l'eruzione del vulcano Taal: "sarebbe come avere una pistola puntata
...(more)

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Estimated casualties (PAGER)

USGS estimates the number of casualties for each earthquake for the Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) product.
The graph shows the current fatalities estimate.

Exposed population

Data, images, links, services and documents

For this events, GDACS has links to information from the following sources: EMSR (2), EC-JRC (32), (2), INGV (1), WMO (1), INFORM (2),