The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has observed a "vigorous" upwelling of hot volcanic fluids that generated a three-kilometer tall steam plume at the Taal Volcano on Saturday morning, Aug. 21.
Phivolcs said a persistent degassing since Friday afternoon, Aug. 20, has produced volcanic smog that continues to envelop and cause poor visibility across the Taal Volcano region on Saturday.
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Volcanic smog or "vog" has been experienced over the Taal Volcano island and nearby communities this week due to high levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions.
Taal's SO2 emission averaged 12,257 tonnes on Aug. 19, Phivolcs said.
In the past 24 hours, Taal also registered 135 volcanic earthquakes including 112 volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 110 minutes, 23 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, and a low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7.
Phivolcs noted that Taal Volcano remains at Alert Level 2 due to "decreased unrest." It has been under this status since July 23, 2021.
As Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, it means that sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around the volcano island.
Phivolcs reminded the public that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.
Boating on Taal Lake must also be prohibited, it added.