Taal Volcano continues to emit "high" levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) that generated steam-rich plumes rising 2.1 kilometers above the main crater of Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday, July 18.
As of July 17, the average SO2 emission of Taal Volcano was measured at 5,466 tonnes. Its record-high sulfur dioxide emission was 22,628 tonnes on July 4.
Phivolcs also continues to detect earthquakes at Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
A total of 86 volcanic earthquakes, consisting of 84 volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 34 minutes, one low-frequency volcanic earthquake, and one hybrid earthquake, including a low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7.
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.