The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) detected 10 volcanic tremors at the Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Friday, August 5, Phivolcs said that the volcanic tremors lasted five to 10 minutes.
It has also detected a 2,500-meter-high “voluminous” emission from the volcano.
Moreover, Taal Volcano released an average of 6,239 tons per day of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on August 4.
Phivolcs also noted a “slight inflation of the TVI (Taal Volcano Island) and Western Taal Caldera,” and “deflation of Eastern Taal Caldera.”
It reminded the public that Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.
The active volcano has been under Alert Level 1 since July 11, 2022.
“Should an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn of renewed unrest, the Alert Level may be raised back to Alert Level 2,” it said.
“Conversely, should there be a return of monitoring parameters to baseline levels after a sufficient observation period, the Alert Level will be further lowered to Alert Level 0,” it pointed out.
Under Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).
“Phivolcs strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s permanent danger zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited,” it said.