A total of 22 volcanic earthquakes, including 18 volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 11 minutes, four low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, and low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7, have been detected at Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
In a bulletin on Friday, July 16, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes that rose 1,500 meters have been observed anew above the Taal's main crater.
Its record-high sulfur dioxide emission was 22,628 tonnes on July 4.
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.