Authorities in Japan and the Philippines issued separate warnings on Wednesday in response to heightened volcanic activity in both nations, signaling potential eruption risks.
In Japan, officials raised the volcanic alert level for Mount Iwate from one to two, warning of possible eruptions and imposing restrictions near the crater. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the update at 3 p.m. local time (0600 GMT), citing increased volcanic activity at the volcano in northern Honshu. The agency cautioned that eruptions could affect areas within two kilometers (1.24 miles) of the Nishi-Iwateyama crater, advising people to watch for large volcanic rocks and avoid hazardous areas. There is also concern about ashfall and smaller volcanic rocks being carried by wind to areas downwind. Japan’s alert system ranges from level one to five, with level five requiring immediate evacuation.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Taal Volcano experienced a minor eruption lasting 11 minutes in its main crater, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The eruption was classified as phreatomagmatic, caused by the interaction of magma and water, and produced a puff of black smoke followed by a steam-rich plume that rose 2,400 meters (7,900 feet) into the air. The plume drifted northeast, and officials warned of potential sudden explosions, ashfall, and toxic gas emissions. The ongoing unrest has prompted the institute to continue monitoring the volcano closely. Communities around the Taal Caldera were urged to remain cautious due to possible health hazards.
Taal Volcano, located about 50 kilometers south of Manila, is the second-most active volcano in the Philippines, with 38 recorded eruptions in its history.
