Phivolcs reports continuing downtrend in Taal activity

FILE: Taal Volcano’s beauty and dreamy landscape never fail to amaze. Amid the destruction, Taal’s serenity and calm, as seen from Tagaytay City, are captured in this photo ten days after the eruption on Jan. 12, 2020. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — Thirty volcanic earthquakes, weak plume emission and “below instrumental detection” sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission have been observed in Taal for the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

Volcanic earthquakes are caused by movements or eruptions of magma from the volcano, unlike tectonic quakes which are caused by fault movements.

The 30 volcanic quakes are fewer compared to the 41 volcanic quakes recorded the previous day. On the other hand, this is the second consecutive day that Phivolcs announced a “below instrumental detection” SO2 emission since lowering Taal Volcano’s Alert Level status to 2 (decreased unrest).

Plume emission was similar to the previous day — 50 to 100 meters tall. A weaker eruption is based on the height of the plume coming out of the crater.

Volcanic plume is a column of hot volcanic ash and gas emitted into the atmosphere during an explosive volcanic eruption.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs reiterated that entry into Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, is still strictly prohibited.

Likewise, people are advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall, and minor earthquakes.

A fissure is a linear volcanic vent through which lava erupts. The magma intrusion from below causes the fissures to form.

Phivolcs earlier announced it would lower the volcano’s alert status to Level 1 should there be a continuous downtrend in monitored parameters after a sufficient observation period.

Taal Volcano has been under Alert Level 2 since February 14, three weeks after it was put under Alert Level 3 (decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption) on January 26.