A total of 145 earthquakes has occurred in the Taal Volcano region in the past 24 hours, with 70 of these earthquakes lasting one to two minutes, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in a bulletin on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Moreover, 72 of these earthquakes were low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, while three were hybrid events including a low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7, Phivolcs said.

The activity at the main crater was still dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated a 1,500-meter plume that drifted southwest.

Taal Volcano's sulfur dioxide or SO2 emission averaged 9,491 tons when it was last measured on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Its peak emission occurred on Oct. 5 with 25,456 tons of SO2.

"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 said.

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.