The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded 55 volcanic earthquakes in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, including 49 episodes of volcanic tremor that lasted for up to more than two minutes.
In its latest volcano bulletin, Phivolcs monitored “a short-lived” 400-500 meter-tall white plume that was generated by a burst of steam-rich gas from Taal’s main crater at 2:11 p.m. Friday, March 12.
Moreover, the agency also noted that activities in the volcano’s main crater consisted of weak emission of steam-laden plumes that rose 50 meters high from active fumaroles on the northern and eastern walls.
The bulletin issued Saturday, March 13, also stated that ground deformation parameters indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since after the January 2020 eruption.
“These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” the agency said.
With this, Phivolcs has maintained the Alert Level 2 over Taal Volcano amid “increased unrest.”
State seismologists reminded that during such alert level, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ash-fall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the volcano island.
Phivolcs has recommended that entry into the volcano island, its permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain prohibited.