(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The “weak explosion” at Mt. Pinatubo reported Tuesday afternoon has been confirmed as a phreatic or steam-driven explosion by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
“Based on visual reports of an eruption plume and seismic, infrasound and satellite detection, DOST-Phivolcs confirms that a phreatic eruption occurred at Pinatubo Crater between 12:09 and 12:13 p.m.,” the agency said in an update posted on social media.
Phivolcs earlier said they were assessing the recorded explosion, which produced a plume, to determine its source.
“Considering that there has been very low seismic activity in the volcano in the past days and low diffuse volcanic CO2 flux measured at Pinatubo Crater Lake, and high infrasound over seismic energy released by the eruption, the event was likely driven by shallow hydrothermal processes beneath the edifice,” Phivolcs said… Read More
