The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, July 12, said it has detected a total of 185 earthquakes in Taal Volcano during the past 24 hours, which means that magmatic unrest persists.
Of the total number of quakes, Phivolcs said seven were low-frequency volcanic earthquakes and 176 were volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 16 minutes, including a low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7.
Taal Volcano also continued to emit high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2), which generated 1.5-kilometer-high steam-rich plumes over its main crater.
As of Sunday, July 11, the average SO2 emission of Taal Volcano was measured at 6,421 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.