MANILA, Philippines — A total of 270 quakes, including 193 episodes of volcanic tremor having durations of up to 12 minutes, were recorded in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Friday.

In its latest bulletin, PHIVOLCS said it also monitored 77 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, which is higher than the 25 recorded on the previous day.

The agency said it also observed weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that rose up to 10 meters. Sulfur dioxide emission that averaged 925 tons per day was measured on Thursday.

“Ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR data analysis indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since after the January 2020 eruption,” PHIVOLCS said.

“These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” it added.

Despite increased seismic activities, PHIVOLCS said that Taal Volcano remains under alert level 2 which means “increased unrest.”

The agency noted that the unrest has been “elevating” and that it is under constant evaluation.

PHIVOLCS reminds the public that under alert level 2, “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around Taal Volcano Island.”

Entry into the island and its permanent danger zone, especially in the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must be strictly prohibited, the agency stressed.

Civil aviation authorities are also advised to inform 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 aircraft.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday (March 24) warned about an increasing possibility of a magmatic eruption in Taal Volcano following an elevated increase in seismic activity.

In an advisory, Phivolcs said that since the Taal Volcano unrest in February, the overall volcanic activity has increased. The agency has recorded 259 volcanic earthquakes in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours.

In the previous week, sulfur oxide gas emission also reached a high peak compared to the previous month. 

There has also been an indication of magma migrating across shallow depths of the Taal Volcano island which increased the possibilities of a magmatic eruption, according to Phivolcs.

“Alert Level 2 (increased unrest) is currently maintained over Taal Volcano but that unrest has been elevating and is under constant evaluation,” according to Phivolcs.

The agency maintains an Alert Level 2 in Taal. It also reminds local government units to continuously assess and strengthen their preparation. Entry is prohibited on the Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinity of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure. -AAC

MANILA, Philippines — At least 164 volcanic quakes, including 67 tremors, have been recorded around Taal Volcano in the last 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Thursday.

In its latest bulletin, PHIVOLCS noted that the volcanic quakes have durations of one to two minutes and three hybrid events.

The latest number of quakes recorded is higher than Wednesday’s 55 quakes with 44 tremors.

PHIVOLCS also observed that the activity at the main crater consisted of weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that rose 20 meters high. The volcano also emitted Sulfur dioxide (SO2) that averaged 605 tons.

The agency also reported that on March 4, the temperature at the Taal main crater lake was at 71.8°C, while its acidity level was at pH of 1.59 last February 12.

“Ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR data analysis indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since after the January 2020 eruption. These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” it added.

PHIVOLCs said Taal Volcano remains under alert level 2, which means that 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.

The agency reiterated that Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited.

PHIVOLCS reminded local government units to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.

Civil aviation authorities must also 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 aircraft.