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Taal Volcano activity increases; 91 tremor episodes recorded in 24 hours
Taal Volcano activity increases; 91 tremor episodes recorded in 24 hours
Taal Volcano in Batangas continued to manifest heightened activity, with 91 tremor episodes and weak emission of steam-laden plumes, in the past 24 hours.
In its volcano bulletin issued Thursday, Feb. 18, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the 91 tremors have durations of one to five minutes, while the white steam-laden plumes coming from Taal Volcano's fumaroles or openings were observed up to five meters.
Temperature highs of 77.1 degrees Celsius and pH of 1.59 were last measured from the main crater lake on Feb. 12, Phivolcs said.
Ground deformation parameters from continuous electronic tilt on the volcano island also recorded a slight deflation around the main crater since October 2020, but overall, very slow and steady inflation of the Taal region has been recorded by continuous GPS data after the eruption, the agency said.
Phivolcs pointed out that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, as 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, a permanent danger zone (PDZ).
Phivolcs advised the public to refrain from entering Taal's PDZ, especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissure
The local government units were urged to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake 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, possible ashfall, and minor earthquakes.
Meanwhile, Mt. Kanlaon had seven volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, while moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters before drifting northwest and southwest was observed.
The local government units and the public were urged not to enter the Mt. Kanlaon's four-kilometer radius PDZ due to increased possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.
Civil aviation authorities were asked to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the summit of Taal and Kanlaon volcanoes as volcanic materials from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.