The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Sunday, Jan. 8, that it recorded 136 volcanic earthquakes in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.
In the volcano bulletin released this Sunday, Phivolcs said the earthquakes lasted two to four minutes.
It also noted the occurrence of a 600-meter “weak” emission of steam-laden plume.
Moreover, Phivolcs observed an “upwelling” of hot volcanic fluids in the Taal main crater lake.
It said that Taal Volcano averaged 8,575 tons per day of sulfur dioxide (SO2) when it was last measured on Jan. 5.
It pointed out that the active volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means it is still in an abnormal condition.
At 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, Phivolcs said.
It “strongly” recommended that entry into TVI—Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, should be strictly prohibited.