A total of 259 earthquakes were detected in Taal Volcano in the 24-hour monitoring of the restive volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday, March 24.
Based on Phivolcs' volcano bulletin, of the 259 quakes recorded, 236 were episodes of volcanic tremor that lasted one to 22 minutes, and four were hybrid earthquakes.
Phivolcs also observed "weak" emission of steam-laden plumes rising 10 meters.
It also measured a significant sulfur dioxide emission that averaged 813 tonnes/day last March 23, while temperature highs of 71.8 degrees Celsius and pH of 1.59 were measured from the main crater last March 4 and Feb. 11, respectively.
Ground deformation parameters also indicated a "very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region after the January 2020 eruption."
Phivolcs said Taal Volcano will remain under Alert Level 2 due to continuous detection of "increased unrest." Its alert level has been raised from 1 to 2 on March 9.
The possibility of 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, it warned.
Phivolcs asked the public to prevent from entering the volcano island, which is a permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and Daang Kastila fissure.
Local government units were advised to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.
Civil aviation authorities were also asked to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft.