Taal remains restive; eruptions, quakes recorded z

MANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano remained under Alert Level 3 yesterday as it continued to show signs of increased activity.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said three phreatomagmatic eruptions were recorded in the past 24 hours.

Thirteen volcanic earthquakes, including three volcanic tremors, that lasted two to three minutes were recorded.

Plumes that drifted southwest reached 2,000 meters, which Phivolcs considered as “voluminous emission.”

On Tuesday, Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. said Taal Volcano’s status may be downgraded to Alert Level 2 if its behavior continues to improve in the next two weeks.

Solidum said the alert level may be upgraded to four if magma climbs up and results in stronger eruptions.

However, he said the agency is not seeing the parameters to raise the alert level.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 1,823 families or 6,568 people from 17 barangays have been affected by Taal Volcano’s unrest.

Up to 1,166 families or 4,039 people remained in 19 evacuation centers yesterday.