Taal Volcano in Batangas continued to produce high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide and steam-rich plumes that reached 2.5 kilometers high in the past 24-hour period, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Tuesday, June 29.

Phivolcs said the volcano's sulfur dioxide emission averaged 14,326 tonnes per day on Monday, June 28, which is higher than the 4,771 tonnes daily average on Sunday, June 27.

It also detected 10 volcanic earthquakes and low-level background tremor that has persisted since April 8, 2021.

"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 said.

Phivolcs pointed out that these parameters indicate overall that magmatic unrest continues to occur at shallow depths beneath the edifice, thus Alert Level 2 is maintained.

Taal Volcano has been under Alert Level 2 since March 9, 2021.

Phivolcs reiterated that there remains a possibility of sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas that can occur and threaten areas within and around the Taal Volcano Island.

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