In the past 24-hour period, the Taal Volcano Network recorded fifty-one (51) volcanic earthquakes, including forty-one (41) episodes of volcanic tremor having durations of one (1) to four (4) minutes.
Activity at the Main Crater consisted of weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that rose 5 meters high. Temperature highs of 71.8°C and pH of 1.59 were last measured from the Main Crater Lake respectively on 04 March and 12 February 2021.
Ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR data analysis indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since after the January 2020 eruption.
Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) is maintained over Taal Volcano. DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that at Alert Level 2, 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 and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.
Taal Volcano records 51 volcanic earthquakes in past 24 hours – PHIVOLCS
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.
The Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) prepares possible evacuation of residents staying around Taal Volcano after its alert status was raised to Alert Level 2 on Tuesday.
“Ang isa pa ho nyan, ‘yung preparedness natin kung saka-sakaling magkakaroon ng evacuation. Sa ngayon, wala namang advice na i-evacuate ang nasa mainland, kundi kung saka-sakaling magkakaroon,” said Batangas PDRRMO head Lito Castro.
Castro said authorities of some areas also banned residents from entering Taal Lake. The window hours for fishing were also reduced in some areas.
The Philippine National Police, the Coast Guard, and local government units of affected areas are also on alert.