Taal Volcano in Batangas continues to emit high levels of sulfur dioxide in the past 24-hour period, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Phivolcs said sulfur dioxide emission averaged 3,755 tonnes per day on July 14, while steam-rich plumes that rose 1,800 meters before drifting southwest were generated from the Taal’s main crater.
Based on the latest bulletin, the agency recorded 17 volcanic earthquakes, including 16 volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 36 minutes, one low frequency volcanic earthquake, and low-level background tremors in the past 24 hours.
Phivolcs reminded the public that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 due to “magmatic unrest.”
“At Alert Level 3, magma extruding from the Main Crater could drive explosive eruption,” it said on Thursday, July 15.
The institute reiterated that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone, and entry into the island as well as into the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited due to the hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should strong eruptions occur.
“All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time,” Phivolcs said.
“Communities around the Taal Lake shores are advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify,” it added.