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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Phivolcs: Lesser steam, quakes at Taal Volcano, but risk of volcanic activities remains

Phivolcs: Lesser steam, quakes at Taal Volcano, but risk of volcanic activities remains

Published Feb 6, 2020 12:00 am
By Alexandria San Juan The risk of volcanic hazards remains in areas near Taal Volcano as activities continued beneath it, despite lesser steam, quakes, and gas emissions observed on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. The main crater of the Taal Volcano is seen during an aerial survey done by government officials, more than a week after the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batgangas. (Mark Balmores) The main crater of the Taal Volcano (Mark Balmores) Weak emissions of steam-laden plumes reaching 50 to 100 meters high were observed in Taal in the past 24 hours, while the level of sulfur dioxide further declined on Thursday and was below instrumental detection. The number of volcanic quakes recorded also decreased, with 132 tremors plotted by the Taal Volcano Network, including three low-frequency events and 11 harmonic tremors, from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning. These earthquakes, Phivolcs explained, "signify magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the Main Crater." Alert Level 3 is still in effect over Taal Volcano, meaning there is "relatively high unrest manifested by seismic swarms including the increasing occurrence of low-frequency earthquakes and/or harmonic tremors where some events are felt." Phivolcs downgraded Taal's danger status from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 on Jan. 26, two weeks after its phreatic or steam-driven eruption last Jan. 12 that forced thousands of nearby residents to evacuate due to thick ash that blanketed their homes. The state volcanology agency reminds the public that sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ash fall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within the volcano island and nearby lakeshore communities. Phivolcs reiterates its warning that entry into Taal Volcano Island as well as into areas over Taal Lake and communities west of the island within a seven-kilometer radius from the main crater must be "strictly prohibited." Local government units were also advised to assess areas outside the danger zone for damage and road accessibility, and to strengthen preparedness, contingency, and communication measures in case of the volcano’s renewed unrest.
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