The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observed light volcanic smog or vog over Taal Volcano and its vicinity as sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions remained high.
In a bulletin at 8 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, Phivolcs said that Taal Volcano’s SO2 emission averaged 13,818 tons per day on March 14.
Phivolcs, in a statement on Friday, March 11, said that “degassing from the Taal Main Crater has noticeably become more active since midnight, 11 March 2022” and has been on an increasing trend since March 6.
It peaked at 15,900 tons per day on March 9, it added.
Phivolcs has not detected volcanic earthquake in the past 24 hours but the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids dominated the activity at the main crater in the Taal Lake which generated plumes 2,500 meters high.
“Temperature highs of 63.7°C were last measured from the Main Crater Lake on 25 February 2022,” it said.
“Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island and the Taal region has begun deflating in October 2021,” it added.
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.