The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that three more phreatomagmatic bursts were recorded over Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
In its volcano bulletin issued on Tuesday, March 29, Phivolcs said the bursts, caused by hot magma coming into contact with groundwater, occurred at 9:30 a.m., 9:33 a.m., and 9:46 a.m. on Monday and produced plumes 400 meters to 800 meters high.
In the past 24 hours, Phivolcs also recorded eight volcanic earthquakes from Taal, which include one volcanic tremor event that lasted five minutes and seven low-frequency volcanic earthquakes.
The upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Taal Lake still dominated the activity at the volcano’s main crater, which generated plumes 2,400 meters high.
Moreover, Taal Volcano released an average of 4,273 tons per day of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on March 28.
Due to Taal Volcano’s increasing unrest, Phivolcs raised the active volcano’s alert status to Level 3 on March 26.
“This means that there is a magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions,” Phivolcs said.
It “strongly” recommended the evacuation of those in Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga in Agoncillo town and Boso-boso, Gulod, and eastern Bugaan East in Laurel town, both in the province of Batangas due to the “possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.”
Phivolcs also reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone, and entry into the island and high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited.
All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed, Phivolcs said.
Likewise, communities around the Taal Lake shores were advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog or volcanic smog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify.
“Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying over Taal Volcano Island as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft,” Phivolcs said.