Philippine authorities have ordered residents near Taal Volcano to evacuate on Sunday after it started spewing ash, indicating a possible "explosive eruption."
Almost half a million residents near the Taal Volcano in the Philippines' Luzon island were urged to evacuate after it spewed ash up to nine miles into the air, showing signs of a possible explosive eruption.
The volcano, situated approximately 37 miles south of the country's capital Manila, is one of the country's most active. On Monday, lava began to gush out of the volcanic vent.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has issued an alert level four, indicating that an explosive eruption might occur in the coming hours or days. The highest alert level of five would mean an eruption is already taking place.
Erik Klemetti, a volcanologist at Denison University, pointed out that while Taal Volcano is not very big, it is considered among the world' most dangerous ones due to the number of people living in its immediate vicinity.
PHIVOLCS has issued a "total evacuation" for people living within a 17-kilometer radius around the volcano, which is considered a danger zone. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, this area is home to over 450,000 residents.
Joseph Michalski, director of the Earth and Planetary Science division at the University of Hong Kong, said: "The ash is what will kill you, not the lava. The ash flow from an exploding volcano can travel hundreds of kilometers an hour."
Authorities have set up temporary evacuation centers and are currently housing over 16,400 people. This number is expected to go higher but some people have chosen to stay with relatives in other parts of the country.
The Philippine Army has sent 20 military vehicles and 120 personnel to helo in the response and evacuation operation. According to the national defense secretary, there are available helicopters on standby to evacuate people.
Several organizations, such as the Philippine Red Cross, have also provided assistance on the ground through rescue vehicles and supplies.
