By Alexandria San Juan State volcanologists warned the public to stay away from Taal Volcano Island, especially its Main Crater, as the threat of a dangerous explosive eruption is still imminent, and the gases being released by the volcano are hazardous to one's health. (AP/Aaron Favila) This was the warning of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday after a video of a local touring the highly-dangerous Taal Volcano Island went viral. Phivolcs' Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division head Mariton Bornas said the agency is concerned that many residents might imitate the man's action, thinking it is safe to go back near the volcano island or even within the high-risk areas. "Nag-aalala kami na baka mahikayat ang maraming tao na pumunta ng Taal Volcano Island. Napakamapanganib po nito," Bornas said in a press briefing in Quezon City on Friday. (We are worried that this will encourage people to go to Taal Volcano island. This is very dangerous.) According to Bornas, while the man did not reach the Main Crater, the mountain trail of Daang Kastila where he was walking is also dangerous as a fissure was found in the area that created a new explosion pit where an eruption could also happen. "Yung dinaanan niyang Daang Kastila, ito ngayon ay binabaybay ng isang malaking fissure at mayroong nahulma na explosion tip kung saan maaaring magkaroon ng biglang pagputok katulad sa Main Crater," Bornas explained. (A huge fissure was found there at the Daang Kastila trail where he was walking which caused the formation of an explosion tip where a sudden explosion can occur similar to the Main Crater.) "Nariyan ang posibilidad na magkaroon ng biglang pagputok ng bulkan na maaari nilang ikamatay at hindi matakbuhan," she added. (There is always the possibility of a sudden volcanic eruption that could lead to death as you cannot outrun it.) She added that it is dangerous to roam around the volcano island especially without wearing proper equipment against toxic gases and the very hot ground. In the more than six-minute video, the man identified by the uploader as "Kuya Bokbok" was seen wearing slippers while walking around the volcano island. Apart from the threat of a sudden eruption, Bornas also warned residents about toxic gases dangerous to the health that they could inhale if they stay close to the volcano. "Nakikita natin na ang asupre ay ibinubuga sa gilid ng fissure, kaya ito ay lubhang mapanganib kapag nalanghap sa mataas na concentration. Toxic na gas 'yan," Bornas said. (We can see that the sulfur is being emitted at the edge of the fissure so it can be very dangerous when inhaled in high concentrations. That's a toxic gas.) "Nandyan rin ang posibilidad ng pagbuga ng carbon dioxide. Ito ay volcanic gas na walang amoy, walang kulay ngunit mabigat at maaaring magdulot ng asphyxiation." (There is also a possibility of carbon dioxide being emitted. Carbon dioxide is a volcanic gas that does not have any smell or color and can cause asphyxiation.) The state volcanology agency reminds the public that Alert Level 4 remains in effect over Taal Volcano, which means that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days. Phivolcs strongly reiterates total evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and high-risk areas as identified in the hazard maps within the 14-kilometer radius from the Main Crater and along the Pansipit River Valley where fissuring has been observed. The Taal Volcano Island, which was tagged by Phivolcs as a permanent danger zone, should be strictly off-limits, the agency said, due to volcanic hazards that caused casualties in Taal's previous eruptions. The Provincial Government of Batangas has enforced a mandatory evacuation within the danger zone and implemented a lockdown on high-risk areas such as Talisay, Laurel, San Nicolas, Balete, Agoncillo, and some areas in Lemery, Taal, Sta. Teresita, Mataas na Kahoy, Lipa City, and Tanauan City.