Taal Volcano update: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Monday volcanic earthquakes were recorded indicating “magmatic activity” that might lead to an eruption.
It also said the volcano emitted dirty-white to white steam-laden plumes.
Phivolcs 8:00 am bulletin said its seismic monitoring network recorded at least 134 volcanic earthquakes since Sunday. It signifies “magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the Main Crater.”
The agency highlighted two seismic events, 4:20 am and 5:42 am, which registered “respectively at magnitude 3.2 and 2.3, the first having been felt at Intensity IV in Laurel and Agoncillo and Intensity III in Lemery, Batangas.”
Phivolcs added Taal Volcano also emitted “voluminous” plumes rising 800 meters high, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission recorded at an average of 97 tonnes/day on February 1.
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Taal Volcano update: ‘magmatic activity’ that might lead to eruption recorded
Taal Volcano is still under Alert Level 3, meaning that “there is a decreased tendency toward hazardous explosive eruption, but volcanic activity has not ceased.”
It also said, “entry into the Taal Volcano Island as well as into areas over Taal Lake and communities west of the island within a 7-kilometer radius from the Main Crater must be strictly prohibited.”
Phivolcs also warned the public against likely “steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions” within Taal Volcano Island and its nearby lakeshores.
Pilots are advised not to fly near the volcano as “airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft.”