Ashfall reaches Manila as Taal Volcano erupts, prompts evacuations in the Philippines

The Taal Volcano in the central Philippines rumbled to life on Sunday, spewing ash and prompting evacuations in nearby communities. The volcano is located on the island of Luzon and is the country's second most active volcano.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the status of the Taal Volcano from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, local time, indicating a moderate level of volcanic unrest. This was upgraded less than two hours later to an Alert Level 3, indicating a high level of volcanic unrest. The alert system has five levels with Alert Level 5 meaning a hazardous eruption is in progress.