‘Elevated’ unrest recurs in Taal Volcano

MANILA – Elevated unrest has recurred in Taal Volcano in the past 48 hours and its condition remains unstable, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

The volcano has been under alert level 2 (increased unrest) since March 9.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum, Jr. earlier said that if current unrest persists, this can lead to an eruption.

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 the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).

For the past 24 hours, Phivolcs recorded 355 volcanic earthquakes, including 201 low frequency volcanic quakes, which were caused by movements or eruptions of magma from the volcano.

The 355 volcanic quakes also included 154 volcanic tremor events lasting two to 35 minutes. Low-level background tremor also persisted since April 8.

Activity at the main crater was dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated 200-meter tall but weak plumes. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 3,463 tonnes/day on May 11, Phivolcs said.

Those parameters indicate persistent magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice.

Entry into the TVI, Taal’s permanent danger zone (PDZ), as well as occupancy and boating on Taal Lake must be strictly prohibited, Phivolcs recommends.

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