The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Wednesday morning it recorded 26 volcanic quakes around Taal volcano within a 24-hour period.
“In the past 24-hour period, the Taal Volcano Network recorded twenty-six (26) volcanic earthquakes. Weak to moderate steaming or fumarolic activity rising 50 meters high before drifting northeast, southeast, and southwest was observed from vents on the Main Crater and fissure vents along the Daang Kastila Trail,” Phivolcs said on its latest bulletin.
Alert Level 1 (Abnormal) is maintained over Taal Volcano. DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that at Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).
DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited.
Local government units are advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency, and communication measures in case of renewed unrest. People are also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, possible ashfall, and minor earthquakes.
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Taal Volcano records 26 quakes within 24-hr period
Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Kanlaon Volcano’s monitoring network recorded two (2) volcanic earthquakes during the 24-hour observation period. Weak emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters before drifting southwest was observed.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 549 tonnes/day on 22 August 2020. Ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicate slight inflation of the lower and mid slopes since May 2020, while short-term electronic tilt monitoring on the southeastern flanks recorded inflation on the lower to mid slopes that began on June 21, 2020.
These parameters may indicate hydrothermal or magmatic processes occurring beneath the edifice.
DOST-PHIVOLCS would like to remind the public that Kanlaon Volcano is at Alert Level 1, which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest.