A photo circulating on Facebook claims to show the Taal Volcano supposedly spewing a lava fountain when it erupted early morning on Oct. 1. This is a misrepresentation.
The image was taken on Jan. 13, 2020, when the volcano produced a lava explosion and heavy ashfall that reached parts of Calabarzon, Bulacan, and Metro Manila. The volcano’s recent activity on Oct. 1 generated an ash plume, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). No lava fountain was recorded during that event.
First published by former broadcaster Jay Sonza on FB on Oct.1, the image showed two shots of the Taal Volcano emitting lava. It carried a caption that read:
“DEVELOPING STORY. Sumabog ang Taal Volcano ngayon-ngayon lamang pasado alas dos (2:15AM) ng madalinG araw, October 1, 2025 ayon sa Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
INGAT MGA KABABAYAN !!!”
(Taal Volcano erupted just now a little past 2 AM, October 1, 2025, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Be safe, countrymen!)”
Several FB pages reposted the erroneous photo and copied almost the same caption.
A reverse image search showed that the circulating image was cropped from an old set of photos uploaded by PHIVOLCS in January 2020.
PHIVOLCS published the original on Facebook and X showing the state of the volcano at that time. The text on the upper part of the original image indicates it was taken on Jan. 13, 2020 at 3:20 AM.
The caption of both social media posts read: “ATM. Lava fountain from Taal Volcano Main Crater @3:20AM“.
There are no reports from PHIVOLCS or any media outlets confirming a recent lava fountain at Taal Volcano.
The misleading post appeared shortly after a minor phreatomagmatic eruption was recorded at Taal Volcano Island’s main crater on Oct 1. According to PHIVOLCS, the event lasted for 13 minutes and produced a 2,500-meter-high white plume that drifted northwest. The agency explained that a phreatomagmatic eruption occurs when magma interacts with water, triggering explosive activity that generates a mix of steam, ash, and fragmented volcanic material.
PHIVOLCS raised Alert Level 1, or low-level unrest, which means steam-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and emission of toxic gases may occur.
Sonza’s post has so far garnered 1,700 reactions, 574 shares, and 239 comments. Other copies shared by FB pages collectively earned 16,700 reactions, 3,400 shares, and 765 comments. Meanwhile, a now-corrected post by FB page Vox Populi PH (created on April 25, 2023) earned 146,000 reactions, 30,000 shares, and 239 comments.
