Did the powerful Cebu quake have something to do with the Taal eruptions?
Two natural incidents occurred in the country late Sept. 30 and early Oct. 1. At 9:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Cebu. Then at 12:57 a.m. on Oct. 1, the first of two phreatic eruptions took place in Taal Volcano, Batangas.
The powerful quake in Cebu was followed by 18 aftershocks on the same night, according to an earthquake bulletin issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology using data from the Philippine Seismic Network. More aftershocks took place in the early hours of Oct. 1.
After Taal Volcano's first phreatic eruption, which ended at 1:02 a.m., another one followed at 2:02 a.m., lasting 13 minutes. to 2:15 a.m.
With them occurring a few moments apart, some are now asking: Was the Cebu earthquake connected to the brief eruptions in Taal?
“The earthquake in Cebu is not related to the volcanic activity of Taal,” said Taal Volcano Observatory resident volcanologist Paolo Reniva in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
“Unang-una, malayo ‘yung lugar. Pangalawa, the Cebu earthquakes were tectonic. In Taal, the earthquakes we record are volcanic; usually related to fluid or rock fracturing in Taal volcano,” Reniva said.
“Definitely, the source of the Taal activity is local,” he added.
Currently, Taal Volcano is under Alert Level 1 status due to the phreatic eruptions. According to the Phivolcs website, the Phivolcs Volcano Alert Level Scheme is meant to help the public understand the status of an active volcano, whether it poses a threat to safety, and the steps the public must take to stay safe from any potential eruption.
Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven, caused by water coming in contact with hot rocks, generating steam.
“Under Alert Level 1, ang recommendation diyan…walang mananatili nang matagal o manunuluyan sa Taal Volcano island. Another recommendation…for the LGUs or communities sa paligid ng Taal lake, laging maging handa at sumunod lang sa abiso ng mga otoridad, halimbawa galing sa Phivolcs o sa mga local government units nila,” said Reniva.
