Taal Volcano Eruption in Philippines

These past years have been devastating. There have been a big amount of catastrophic natural disasters that have been happening in the Philippines like typhoons, earthquakes, mudslides, tsunamis, volcanoes, droughts, or floods. The Philippines has been victimized by them all. Which results in people dying, houses getting struck down, and extreme hardships.

Taal Volcano is located on Luzon Island in the Philippines, in the province of Batangas. Taal Volcano and the Lake are one of the most attractive views in the Philippines. Did you know that Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in the Philippines? Taal Volcano has 34 recorded historical eruptions. The first taal volcano eruption of which there is any record occurred in 1572. In 1754, Taal Volcano's greatest recorded eruption and the great 200-day, which lasted from May 15 to December 1. The eruption caused the relocation of the towns of Tanauan, Taal, Lipa, and Sala. Taal remained quiet for 54 years except for a minor eruption in 1790. Not until March 1808 did another big eruption occurs.

Taal Volcano erupted this Sunday, January 12, 2020. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued an Alert Level 4, which means that there is a possibility of another eruption within hours or days. Three days after the eruption has happened, volcanic activity around Taal is ongoing. Fountains of lava generate dark gray, steam-laden plumes up to 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) high. Fissures or cracks have opened up in several areas, and 466 earthquakes have been recorded since Sunday. Volcanologists warn that further eruptions are possible.

More than 50,000 people have fled from Batangas and Cavite provinces. Some have sought shelter in 217 evacuation centers are set up by authorities. The number of evacuees could be higher, with some choosing to stay with family members and relatives in other parts of the country. Towns such as Talisay on the banks of Lake Taal have been placed under lockdown by the authorities, and evacuations are enforced. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mark Timbal. Some residents who lived by the foot of Taal Volcano. They have ignored government warnings to keep away. They have gone back to tend or rescue their animals and to check if their houses are alright. Because of the ongoing threat of another, bigger eruption, no one knows when they will be able to return home or what they will find when they get there. One big concern for those in the vicinity is the potential health risks of breathing in the toxic volcanic ash, which carries microscopic shards of glass. That is why I ask you to wear an N95 mask, which is suitable, not the surgical mask. The surgical mask doesn't work against the haze of the volcano. It is designed for fluid and blood.

Our thoughts are with you from Youthline. Our prayers and hopes are with all that has been affected. We hope that you will remain strong during this horrible disaster you are experiencing. We urge you to pray and give support to the families that were affected.