Phivolcs records 153 volcanic earthquakes from Taal on Sunday

FILE: Aerial shot of Taal Volcano on board a Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) UH-1 Huey helicopter on Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2020) during the PAF and Joint Task Force-Taal aerial reconnaissance at Taal Volcano. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — About 153 volcanic earthquakes including two low-frequency earthquakes were recorded from Taal Volcano in Batangas in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Sunday.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, state volcanologists reported that the activity in the main crater has been characterized by weak emission of white steam-laden plumes 50 to 100 meters tall that drifted southwest, and sulfur dioxide emission was measured at an average of 97 tons per day.

“These earthquakes signify magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the main crater,” Phivolcs said, adding that Alert Level 3 is hoisted over Taal Volcano.

Phivolcs reminded the public that sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island and nearby lakeshores.

It recommended that entry into the 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 is strictly prohibited.

It also advised local government units 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 must observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall 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,” Phivolcs said.

Since airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft, Phivolcs stressed that civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano.

On Saturday, another harmonic tremor or rhythmic shaking associated with magma movement was recorded from the volcano.