The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said 17 volcanic earthquakes were detected in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Sunday, April 3, Phivolcs said that of the 17 volcanic earthquakes that were recorded, four were volcanic tremor events having durations of one to two minutes and 13 were low-frequency volcanic earthquakes.

It added that the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Taal Lake still dominated the activity at the volcano’s main crater, which generated plumes 900 meters high.

Moreover, Taal Volcano released an average of 1,232 tons per day of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on April 2.

“Temperature highs of 63.7°C were last measured from the Main Crater Lake on 25 February 2022. 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 said.

Due to Taal Volcano’s continued unrest, Phivolcs maintained the active volcano’s status under Alert Level 3. It has been under Alert Level 3 since 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.