The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday, Dec. 9, said that they have recorded 15 volcanic earthquakes in Taal Volcano over the past 24-hour monitoring period.
Of this number, 13 are volcanic tremor events having durations of one to two minutes, while two are low-frequency volcanic earthquakes. The agency also reported that a low-level background tremor has persisted in the volcano since July 7, 2021.
“Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 2,684 tonnes/day on Dec. 8, 2021. Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous Global Positioning System (GPS), and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) monitoring, Taal Volcano Island and the Taal region has begun deflating in October 2021,” said Phivolcs in its latest bulletin.
With these observations, the agency reiterated that Alert Level 2 remains hoisted in the volcano. Under this alert level, sudden stream or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).
“Entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must strictly be prohibited, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure and extended stays on Taal Lake,” it added.
Phivolcs also advised local government officials in the area to continuously “assess and strengthen” the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around the Taal Lake in case a renewed unrest takes place. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)