Phivolcs: 99 volcanic quakes at Taal in last 24 hours


(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday, July 17, said Taal Volcano had a total of 99 volcanic earthquakes in the last 24 hours.

It said that 90 were volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 11 minutes and nine were low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, including a low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7.

The 99 volcanic earthquakes reported at Taal Volcano on Saturday, were more than four times higher than the 22 quakes reported on Friday, July 16.

Phivolcs also continued to record "high" levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions that generated steam-rich plumes, rising 1,200 meters above the Taal's main crater.

As of July 16, the average SO2 emission of Taal Volcano was measured at 6,574 tonnes. 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.