Updated Jan 12, 2020 - Science

Taal volcano in Philippines erupting and triggering earthquakes

Rebecca Falconer

Residents living at the foot of Taal volcano ride outrigger canoes to reach their homes while the volcano spews ash as seen from Tanauan town in Batangas province, south of Manila — People ride outrigger canoes to reach their homes near the foot of Taal volcano as it spews ash south of Manila on Monday. Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippines' Taal volcano has been erupting 40 miles south of the Manila and triggering at least 52 earthquakes and ashfall across the region, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement Monday.

What's happening: Manila's international airport suspended flights and schools canceled classes across the region because of ash from the eruption, as the alert level was raised to 4 out of 5.

Towns surrounding the volcano were evacuated on Sunday, according to the UN's Philippines office.
Motorists should drive with "extreme caution" because of poor visibility from the ash, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned.

The big picture: Some 450,000 people live within the nine-mile danger zone of the volcano, per the UN.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Taal volcano in Philippines erupting and triggering earthquakes

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