The Philippine government has issued an alert level 3 for the Taal volcano, which erupted on Thursday and sent a plume of ash and steam into the air.

The alert means that there is a high level of volcanic unrest and that an explosive eruption is possible within hours or days.

The authorities have ordered the evacuation of more than 14,000 people from nearby towns and villages, and have advised residents to wear masks and avoid inhaling ash.

The Taal volcano is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the Philippines, located about 60 kilometers south of Manila. It has a history of violent eruptions that have caused fatalities and damage to property.

The last major eruption occurred in 1977, but the volcano has shown signs of activity in recent years. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has warned that the current eruption could trigger pyroclastic flows, which are fast-moving clouds of hot gas and volcanic material that can incinerate everything in their path.

PHIVOLCS has also warned of possible volcanic tsunamis, which are waves generated by volcanic activity that can affect coastal areas. The agency has urged the public to stay away from the volcano island and the surrounding lake, and to monitor its updates and advisories.