Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Taal Volcano have remained high on Saturday, Nov. 13, based on the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology's (Phivolcs) bulletin issued on Sunday, Nov. 14.

Phivolcs said Taal's volcanic SO2 emissions averaged 12,260 tons per day on Nov. 13.

Although it is lower than the highest ever recorded emissions at 25,456 tons per day on Oct. 5, the current emissions remain relatively high as the volcano continued to emit steam plumes.

Based on the volcano's 24-hour monitoring, Phivolcs said the activity at the main crater was dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes 700 meters tall.

It also recorded three volcanic tremor events having durations of two to three minutes, including a 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 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 prohibited, it added.