Phivolcs logs significant level of SO2 emission in Taal Volcano
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continues to measure significant level of sulfur dioxide emission over Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
In its volcano bulletin issued Thursday, June 17, Phivolcs said that sulfur dioxide emission of Taal Volcano averaged 4,034 tonnes per day on June 16.
The agency said that activity at Taal’s main crater was dominated by upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes that rose 1200 meters tall and drifted to the southwest.
While the Taal Volcano Network did not detect any volcanic earthquake in the past 24-hour period, low-level background tremor that has persisted since April 8.
“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,” it said.
“These parameters indicate overall that magmatic unrest continues to occur at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” it added.
Phivolcs said that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 or “Increased Unrest” as sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur.
The agency warned against entry into Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, and occupancy and boating on Taal Lake.