No quakes recorded in Taal since Friday

MANILA, Philippines — There was no volcanic earthquake recorded at Taal Volcano in the 24-hour period since Friday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs said activity at the volcano was dominated by the generation of plumes up to 900 meters high in the main crater.

Sulfur dioxide on Friday averaged only 155 tons per day, significantly lower than the peak of over 15,000 tons per day prior to the phreatomagmatic eruption last month.

The volcano is still under Alert Level 2 or decreased unrest, which means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal accumulations or bursts of volcanic gas can still occur.

The status was de-escalated two weeks after the phreatomagmatic eruption on March 26 that generated plumes up to 1,600 meters high.

Phivolcs said thousands of residents that were allowed to return to high-risk barangays should be ready, with local government units advised to strengthen contingency measures.

Civil aviation authorities were also urged to advise pilots against flying close to the volcano due to airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash that may pose hazards to aircraft.