2020 Taal Volcano eruption facts for kids
Taal Volcano's January 12, 2020 explosion
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| Date | January 12, 2020 – present |
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| Location | Calabarzon, Luzon, Philippines |
| Type | Phreatic eruption, Strombolian eruption |
The Taal Volcano in the Philippines is a very active volcano. On January 12, 2020, it erupted, sending ash high into the sky. Because of this, the alert level was raised from Level 2 to Level 4 by PHIVOLCS.
PHIVOLCS, or the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, is a group of scientists who watch volcanoes. They use alert levels to tell people how active a volcano is. Level 4 means a dangerous eruption could happen soon.
The ash from the main crater of Taal Volcano spread far. It covered areas like Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and parts of Central Luzon. This caused many problems for people living nearby.
Contents
Understanding Taal Volcano's Eruption
Taal Volcano is one of the smallest volcanoes in the world. However, it is also one of the most active. It is located on an island in the middle of Taal Lake. This makes its eruptions very unique.
What is a Phreatic Eruption?
The eruption on January 12, 2020, started as a Phreatic eruption. This happens when hot magma heats up water underground. The water turns into steam very quickly. This steam then explodes, sending out ash, rock, and steam.
What is a Strombolian Eruption?
After the first explosion, the eruption changed. It became a Strombolian eruption. This type of eruption is named after the Stromboli volcano in Italy. It involves short, explosive bursts of lava. These bursts can look like fireworks.
Impact of the Ashfall
When a volcano erupts, it can release a lot of ash. This ash is made of tiny pieces of rock and glass. It can be very harmful to people and the environment.
How Ash Affects People and Homes
Volcanic ash can cover everything like snow. It makes it hard to breathe and can irritate eyes. Houses can be damaged by the weight of the ash. It can also make roads slippery and dangerous.
Impact on Plants and Animals
Farms and plants were heavily covered in ash. This made it difficult for crops like pineapples to grow. Animals also faced challenges finding food and clean water. The ash can harm their lungs if they breathe it in.
Safety During a Volcanic Eruption
When a volcano becomes active, it's important to stay safe. PHIVOLCS gives warnings and advice to people living near the volcano.
Evacuation and Preparedness
When the alert level is high, people living close to the volcano must leave their homes. This is called evacuation. It helps keep everyone safe from falling ash and dangerous gases. Being prepared means having a plan and emergency supplies ready.
Monitoring Volcano Activity
Scientists at PHIVOLCS use special tools to watch Taal Volcano. They look for signs like earthquakes and changes in the ground. This helps them predict when an eruption might happen. This monitoring helps keep communities safe.
Images for kids
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Phreatic activity leading up to the first explosive event captured at the main crater of Taal Volcano. Video taken from the installed IP camera of PHIVOLC's monitoring Taal Volcano
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Video in crater from March 26, 2022 eruption
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Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of Taal Volcano on January 23, 2020, showing magmatic activity and the ash-blanketed towns of Agoncillo and Laurel.
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View of the eruption from an airplane
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Houses at a portion of the Taal Volcano island destroyed by ashfall.
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Agriculture Secretary William Dar inspecting ash-covered pineapple plants on January 18, 2020
