Dangerous volcanic smog emerges from Taal volcano in the Philippines

Dangerous volcanic smog emerged from the Taal volcano in the Philippines causing limited visibility around the mountain this morning (June 28).

Dangerous volcanic smog emerged from the Taal volcano in the Philippines causing limited visibility around the mountain this morning (June 28).

Footage shows the volcano spewing thick, white smoke during the orange sunrise as seen from a residential area nearby in San Nicolas, Batangas province.

Resident Jasmin Alminana Landicho said they woke up early in the morning after noticing a bizarre smell that caused them difficulty in breathing.

She said: ‘It was hard to breathe in the morning so we checked the volcano outside.

We were worried upon seeing that it was covered in smoke.’ The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a warning in the area after the volcanic smog or vog was detected coming out of Taal.

The agency said in a statement: ‘These atmospheric conditions, especially the near-absence of air movement, resulted in the formation of volcanic smog or vog that brought a pronounced haze over the Taal Caldera region.

‘It consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as sulfur dioxide which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract in severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure.’ Vog is a form of air pollution that results when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano react with oxygen and moisture in the presence of sunlight.