The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continued to detect earthquakes and high sulfur emissions at Taal Volcano in Batangas in the past 24 hours.

In its volcano bulletin on Friday, Oct. 15, Phivolcs reported 38 volcanic earthquakes, including 37 volcanic tremor events having a duration of two to five minutes and a low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7, 2021.

It also noted that the activity at the Taal Volcano's main crater was dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes 1,500 meters tall.

The volcano's sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 6,893 tons per day when it was last measured on Oct. 14.

"Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island has begun inflating in August 2021 while the Taal region continues to undergo very slow extension since 2020," Phivolcs said.

It reminded the public that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, which means that the current SO2 parameters indicate high levels of magmatic degassing from the main crater that could drive explosive activity.

"At Alert Level 2, 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 TVI," it pointed out.

The volcano has been under Alert Level 2 since July 23, 2021.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, which is a permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.

Boating on Taal Lake is also be prohibited, it added.

Phivolcs advised the concerned local government units to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.