Taal Volcano continues to manifest "increased unrest" with the emission of almost 20,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on Saturday, Nov. 6, based on the 24-hour monitoring of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
In its volcano bulletin on Sunday, Nov. 7, Phivolcs said the activity at the main crater was dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated a plume 1,000 meters tall.
Taal Volcano's SO2 emission reached 19,463 tons on Nov. 6, which is higher than the 14,054 tons registered on Nov. 5.
Its peak emission was on Oct. 5 at 25,456 tons.
Phivolcs said that SO2 is one of the gas components of magma and is "mostly degassed when magma nears the surface."
It added that gases emitted by volcanoes are toxic and can be harmful to health or cause death.
In the past 24 hours, Phivolcs also recorded 27 volcanic earthquakes, including 21 volcanic tremor events having durations of two to five minutes, and low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7.
"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 pointed out.
Phivolcs reminded the public that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, which means that the volcano continues to manifest "increased unrest."
"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.
"Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft," it added.