The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has monitored a "more active" degassing activity from the Taal Volcano's main crater, according to its latest monitoring on Friday, March 11.
"Degassing from the Taal Main Crater has noticeably become more active since midnight, 11 March 2022. Volcanic SO2 gas emission is on an increasing trend since March 6 and recently peaked at 15,900 t/d on 9 March 2022," Phivolcs said in a tweet.
In its bulletin issued on Friday, Phivolcs said Taal recorded eight volcanic earthquakes, including four volcanic tremor events having durations of two to eight minutes, and three low-frequency volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the activity at the main crater was dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes 1,200 meters high.
Phivolcs said the Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, which means that the active volcano continues to manifest "increased unrest."
"At Alert Level 2, 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 TVI," it pointed out.
The volcano has been under Alert Level 2 since July 23, 2021.
Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, which is a permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.
It said that "extended stays on the lake" are also strictly prohibited.
Phivolcs advised the concerned local government units to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.
"Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft," it added.