By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The number of volcanic earthquakes that originated from Taal Volcano has tripled overnight to 128 quakes.
Taal Volcano (Wow Batangas website / File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
Based on the 24-hour monitoring of the Taal Volcano's seismic network from 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 128 volcanic earthquakes, two of which have occurred at 12:43 p.m. and 2:49 p.m. last Sunday.
Both quakes were felt at Intensity I or “scarcely perceptible” by residents in Pira-piraso and Alas-as at the north and west sectors of the volcano island, respectively.
The number of volcanic earthquakes from Saturday to Sunday was only 38.
Field measurements conducted by Phivolcs last December 19, 2019 at the eastern sector of the main ctater lake yielded a decrease in water temperature from 32.0 degrees Celsius (°C) to 31.6 °C, a decrease in water level from 0.46 meters to 0.34 meters, and a decrease in acidity from a pH of 2.76 to 2.81.
Ground deformation measurements through precise leveling surveys last November 21-29, 2019 also indicated inflation of the edifice consistent with recent results from continuous global positioning system (GPS) data.
Taal Volcano’s alert status remains at level one due to the abnormal condition of the volcano.
It has been raised from zero to one last March 28.
However, Phivolcs clarified that alert level one means “hazardous eruption is not imminent.”
The public meanwhile is reminded that the main crater should be strictly off-limits because sudden steam explosions can occur and high concentrations of toxic volcanic gases can be released.
The northern portion of the main crater rim, in the vicinity of Daang Kastila Trail, can also become hazardous when fumarolic or degassing activity along existing fissures suddenly increases.
The public is also reminded that the entire volcano island is a permanent danger zone and permanent settlement is strictly prohibited.