Taal Volcano is a popular tourist attraction just 37 miles south of Manila, the capital of The Philippines. The volcano sits on the picturesque island of Luzon and is the second most active volcano in The Philippines. Taal Volcano lived up to its reputation sending a 6 to 9 mile plume of ash and steam into the air Sunday. Monday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observed a lava fountain in the main crater of the volcano.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology increased the alert status for the eruption of the Taal Volcano to a level 4 out of 5 and said that a “hazardous explosive eruption” was possible within hours to days. Sunday’s eruption was classified as a phreatic or “steam-blast” eruption. This type of eruption occurs when steam is produced from the contact of cold groundwater with hot rock or magma. During phreatic eruptions, no new magma is produced.

At 3:20AM Monday in The Philippines, a lava fountain was observed in the main crater of the Volcano. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) released images of the lava fountain on Twitter.

Sunday’s eruption canceled flights as ash fell from the sky. One couple continued with their wedding ceremony as the eruption continued in the background.

Resident’s of The Philippines shared incredible videos and images of the ash plume. Incredible volcanic lightning was observed during Sunday’s eruption.

Volcanic lightning occurs when particles of ash collide with one another in the ash plume generating static electricity.

Thousands of villagers near the volcano have been evacuated due to the threat of an even more powerful eruption. Over 100 flights were diverted or canceled due to the volcanic ash.