By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz Taal Volcano’s emission of steam-laden plumes has been consistently weak since the restive volcano’s alert status was lowered last week. (MANILA BULLETIN) Based on the bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday, the activity in the Taal Volcano’s main crater has been characterized by weak emission of white steam-laden plumes 50 to 100 meters tall that drifted southwest. Meanwhile, sulfur dioxide emission was measured at an average of 97 tons per day. The presence of significant sulfur dioxide from a volcano indicates that magma is still getting closer to the surface. The Taal Volcano network also recorded 153 volcanic earthquakes including two low-frequency events. “These earthquakes signify magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the main crater,” Phivolcs said. Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Taal Volcano, which means 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 Taal Volcano Island and nearby lakeshores. Phivolcs recommended that entry into the Taal Volcano island, Taal Lake, and communities west of the volcano island within a 7 kilometer-radius from the main crater must be strictly prohibited. Local government units were advised to assess areas outside the seven-kilometer radius for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency, and communication measures in case of renewed unrest. People were also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ash fall, and minor earthquakes. Communities beside active river channels particularly where ash from the main eruption phase has been thickly deposited should increase vigilance when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall since the ash can be washed away and form lahars along the channels. Civil aviation authorities were asked to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircrafts. READ MORE: Gov’t records 39 deaths related to Taal eruption