Taal Volcano unrest elevating – Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 even as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said unrest has been “elevating.”

Phivolcs said 302 earthquakes were recorded in the Taal Volcano network in the past 24 hours.

At least 184 of the tremors lasted for one to 12 minutes while 118 are low-frequency volcanic earthquakes.

Phivolcs said there was a weak emission of steam-laden plumes that rose 30 meters from fumarolic vents in the main crater.

Sulfur dioxide emission averaged 925 tons per day.

The agency said sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulation or expulsion of volcanic gas could occur and threaten areas within and around Taal Volcano island.

Entry into the island, which is considered a permanent danger zone, is strictly prohibited.

Phivolcs advised local government units to assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.

It said boating and occupancy in the lake are prohibited.

Phivolcs had earlier warned the public of an increasing possibility of a magmatic eruption due to its “elevated” seismic activity.

Nearly 3,000 volcanic tremors have been recorded in Taal since Feb. 13.

Hundreds of thousands were displaced in Taal’s phreatomagmatic eruption in January last year.