This is the moment Taal Volcano erupts in the Philippines sparking the evacuation of thousands of people.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) said on social media on 1st July: “Phreatomagmatic eruption of Taal Volcano from 3:16 PM – 3:21 PM today, viewed from the Main Crater station.”

The short clip of the eruption has gone viral with 2.9 million views on Facebook.

According to reports, thousands have been evacuated from nearby areas as the Philippine authorities raise the danger level at Taal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the country and located in the province of Batangas, after it erupted and sent ash and gases into the air on Thursday.

The volcano reportedly spewed a phreatomagmatic plume one kilometre into the air.

Officials are unable to determine if further eruptions are to be expected and PHIVOLCS-DOST expert Renato Solidum said: “It’s just one explosive event, it is too early to tell.”

The British Geological Survey said such blasts take place when magma erupts through water.

Water in the Taal Volcano’s crater boiled both before and after the blast, according to reports.

After the eruption, the Philippine authorities raised the alert level from two to three, meaning “there is magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions”.

Residents in the lakeside towns of Laurel and Agoncillo are being evacuated due to the risk of further blasts and even the possibility of a volcanic tsunami.

Greenpeace Philippines said that they observed a strange haze over Manila’s skyline on Wednesday that PHIVOLCS-DOST said was down to a mix of worsening air pollution and sulphur dioxide from the volcano.

Taal Volcano is one of the world’s smallest active volcanoes at just 311 metres (1,020 feet).

Last year, volcanic activity at Taal led to the evacuation of over 100,000 people. Ash clouds reached the capital Manila and partially shut down the airport with over 500 flights cancelled.