A total of 61 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded in Taal Volcano over the past 24-hour monitoring period, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday, Dec. 2.
Of this number, 27 are volcanic tremor events having a duration of two to 24 minutes, 14 are low-frequency volcanic events, and 10 are hybrid events. Phivolcs also pointed out that a low-level background tremor has persisted since July 7, 2021.
“Activity at the Main Crater was dominated by upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes 700 meters tall that drifted southwest. Sulfur dioxide emission averaged 4,446 tonnes/day on December 1, 2021. In addition, vog was observed over Taal Volcano and vicinity,” said Phivolcs in its 8 a.m. bulletin.
Alert Level 2 is maintained over Taal Volcano. Under this alert level, sudden steam or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and expulsions of volcanic gas may occur and threaten areas within and around the Taal Volcano Island.
“DOST-Phivolcs strongly recommends that entry into Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, and extended stays on Taal Lake,” it added.
The Taal Volcano has been under Alert Level 2 since July 23, 2021. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)