Taal situation 'abnormal', says Phivolcs
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday that the situation at the Taal Volcano remains "abnormal" as Alert Level 1 is still in place.
In the latest volcano bulletin of Phivolcs issued Friday morning, at least six volcanic earthquakes have been recorded by the agency in the past 24-hour period.
Weak steaming was also observed from the vents on the Main Crater and fissures along the Daang Kastila trail which rose five meters high before drifting southwest, Phivolcs added.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary and Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum Jr. earlier said they are closely monitoring the activities of Taal Volcano as it slightly swelled again and the number of volcanic quakes increased.
"Tingnan natin kung ano ang ikikilos nito kasi yung bagong magma na umakyat during the eruption and weeks after ay nandoon sa ilalim, mga four to five kilometers," Solidum said in a radio interview.
(We will continue to monitor its activities because the new magma that rose during the eruption and weeks after has settled at the bottom, about four to five kilometers deep.)
Meanwhile, the Phivolcs reminded the public that Alert Level 1 is maintained over the volcano which means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island.
With this, the state, the volcanology bureau emphasized that entry into the volcano island and its permanent danger zone, especially within the vicinity of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain "strictly prohibited."
"Local government units are advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency, and communication measures in case of renewed unrest," it added.
The public, particularly residents near the volcano, were also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, possible ashfall, and minor earthquakes.
Aside from Taal, Phivolcs is closely monitoring other active volcanoes in the country including Bulusan, Kanlaon, and Mayon, which are also at Alert Level 1 or at an abnormal condition.