The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, June 14, continued to detect magmatic unrest occurring at shallow depths beneath the edifice of Taal Volcano in Batangas.

Phivolcs recorded 13 volcanic tremor events having durations of one to 270 minutes in the past 24 hours, while a low-level background tremor has persisted since April 8, 2021.

It noted that the activity at Taal's main crater was still dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake that generated plumes one-kilometer high.

Taal's sulfur dioxide emission also remains high with an average of 4,443 tonnes per day on Sunday, June 13.

"Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island has begun deflating in April 2021 while the Taal region continues to undergo very slow extension since 2020," Phivolcs explained.

"These parameters indicate overall that magmatic unrest continues to occur at shallow depths beneath the edifice," it added.

Phivolcs said Taal Volcano's status will remain under Alert Level 2 due to "increased unrest."

Under Alert Level 2, Phivolcs said that there is a possibility of 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 the Taal Volcano Island.

The restive volcano in Batangas has been under Alert Level 2 since March 9, 2021.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the volcano island, which is a permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.