No quake, but Taal continues to emit plumes

MANILA, Philippines — No volcanic quake was recorded in the Taal Volcano Network in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday.

Phivolcs said plumes that rose 900 meters and drifted southwest dominated the activity in the main crater.

Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 6,391 tons per day on Friday.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 or decreased unrest. Phivolcs said this means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal accumulations or bursts of volcanic gas are possible.

The alert status of the volcano was downgraded to Level 2 on April 9, two weeks after its phreatomagmatic eruption.

Phivolcs reminded concerned local government units to continue to strengthen preparedness and contingency measures, especially in high-risk barangays.

Civil aviation authorities advised pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano due to airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash.