Phivolcs: 115 quakes recorded at Taal Volcano in past 24 hours

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 115 earthquakes, including two low-frequency events and five harmonic tremors, were recorded at 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, Phivolcs said the tremors lasted from one to four minutes.

State volcanologists reported that the activity in the main crater has been characterized by weak emission of white to dirty steam-laden plumes rising to 200 to 300 meters tall that drifted southwest, and sulfur dioxide emission was measured at an average of 116 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 maintained over Taal Volcano.

Phivolcs reminded the public to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall, and minor earthquakes.

It advised the communities beside active river channels, particularly where ash from the main eruption phase has been thickly deposited, to increase vigilance during heavy and prolonged rainfall since the ash can be washed away and form lahars along the channels.

Phivolcs also asked 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.

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.