January 12, 2020 Eruption of Taal

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). (ref #12606)

Taal Volcano entered a period of intense unrest beginning with phreatic or steam-driven activity in several points inside the Main Crater at 1:00 PM of 12 January 2020 that progressed into magmatic eruption at 02:49 AM to 04:28 AM of 13 January 2020. (reference #12599)

A large eruption began at Taal volcano, Philippines on 12 January 2020. Ash emissions reached 55,000 ft altitude. Reports of ash falling at Alabang, 45 km north of the volcano and Manila metro. Flights were cancelled at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manilla due to ash. Taal volcano progressed to a magmatic eruption on 13 January 2020. On the evening of 13 January 500 m high lava fountains occurred at the volcano. (ref #12597)

The Philippine Seismic Network (PSN) plotted a total of 2361 volcanic earthquakes as of 10 February 2020, 1:16 AM.

A total of 14,082 houses damaged (4573 - Totally / 9509 - Partially) in the Province of Batangas (Region CALABARZON) as of 06 March 2020.

A total 191,952 families / 736,802 persons were affected in the Regions III, Calabarzon and NCR, as of 06 March 2020.

A total of 24 cities/municipalities experienced power interruption in the Provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas (CALABARZON). As of 07 February 2020, all reported areas have restored power. A total of P3,408,763,882.00 worth of damage to infrastructure and agriculture was incurred in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Cavite (CALABARZON).(ref #12598, 12609, 12612, 12641, 12663)

The government has recorded 39 deaths during the span of the evacuation and disaster response since Taal Volcano erupted on January 12 [...] “While no one died nor was hospitalized during the phreatic eruption on January 12, the Department of Health has already recorded 39 deaths as of February 1,” Mandanas said. The recorded deaths were mostly due to anxiety and negligence of the casualties. A number of evacuees were reported to have died of heart attack during the evacuation and while staying at the evacuation centers [...]By negligence, Mandanas was referring to deaths related to hard-headed evacuees who opted to remain or return to the danger zone despite the prohibition. (ref #12819)

66 million USD total damages (ref #1250)