Evacuation of residents in Taal Volcano possible

The police force is on high alert for possible evacuation of residents from areas surrounding restive Taal Volcano.

PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar’s local police offices should also be updated on the Taal’s activity.

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“Simulan na natin ang pakikipagcoordinate sa mga lokal na opisyal para agad tayong makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga residenteng apektado nitong kasalukuyang activity ng bulkan,” he said.

(We should start coordinating with local officials now to immediately provide help to residents affected by the ongoing activity of the volcano).

The police also ensure that no one would come near the volcano.

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Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) is currently maintained over Taal Volcano. DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that at Alert Level 2, sudden steam- or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around TVI.

Evacuation of residents in Taal Volcano possible

In the past 24-hour period, the Taal Volcano Network recorded ten (10) volcanic earthquakes, including eight (8) low-frequency volcanic earthquakes and two (2) volcanic tremor events having durations of forty (40) to one hundred ten (110) seconds, and low-level background tremor that has persisted since 08 April 2021.

High levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes that rose as much as two thousand (2,000) meters high and drifted southwest have been observed from the Taal Main Crater. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 6,685 tonnes/day on 30 June 2021. In addition, vog was observed over Taal Caldera.

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Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS, and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island has begun deflating in April 2021. The Taal region continues to undergo very slow extension since 2020. These parameters indicate overall that magmatic unrest continues to occur at shallow depths beneath the edifice.

DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry must be strictly prohibited into Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, and occupancy and boating on Taal Lake.

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