A total of 74 earthquakes and 6,488 tonnes of sulfur dioxide emission were observed at Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Sunday, July 11.
Of the 74 earthquakes, Phivolcs said 13 were low-frequency volcanic earthquakes and 61 were volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 25 minutes, including a low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7.
"High levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes that rose 1,000 meters before drifting west-northwest and southwest were generated from the Taal Main Crater," it added.
As of July 10, the average SO2 emission of Taal Volcano was measured at 6,488 tonnes per day.
Phivolcs said that Taal Volcano remains at Alert Level 3 due to continuous "magmatic unrest." It has been under this status since July 1.
"At Alert Level 3, magma extruding from the main crater could drive explosive eruption," Phivolcs said.
The public is prohibited from entering the entire Taal Volcano Island, which is a permanent danger zone.
Phivolcs also advised those in the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas to remain in evacuation centers due to hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami in case of strong eruptions.
"All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time," it added.
Communities around the Taal lakeshores were also advised to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog.
Phivolcs asked residents around Taal Lake to "calmly" prepare for possible evacuation should Taal Volcano's unrest intensifies.