Taal Volcano had 69 tremors in past 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

Taal Volcano has had 69 tremor activities in the past 24 hours, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director Renato Solidum Jr. said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

This was accompanied by increased temperature and acidity in the main crater lake, he added.

"Sa Taal Volcano, nananatiling nasa  Alert Level 1 ang alerto. Ibig sabihin, abnormal. Maraming mga pagyanig. 'Di po ito nararamdaman ng mga tao. Sixty-nine tremors ang naitala sa nakalipas na 24 oras. Kasabay na rin ang pag-init ng main crater lake at pagiging acidic nito," Solidum said.

Such activities are due to the increased temperature of the water underneath, he said.

"Ang sanhi ng paglindol ay ang patuloy na pagpapakulo ng tubig sa ilalim ng Taal Volcano Island. At dahil may gas, may acidic component sa tubig. May posibilidad na magkaroon ng phreatic eruption o steam-driven," Solidum said.

The PHIVOLCS director said it is still dangerous to be on Taal Volcano Island.

"Ang delikado lang sa kasalukuyan ay ang Taal Volcano Island. Sinabi rin natin noon pa na ang permanent danger zone ay ang Taal Volcano Island na wala dapat manirahan," he said.

Sixty residents on Taal Volcano Island were forcibly evacuated on Tuesday following  seismic activities recorded on the volcano. They have been brought to an evacuation center in Talisay, Batangas.

Solidum said it is possible for the volcano to calm down, but it may also escalate.

"Posible pong kumalma 'yan. May mga maraming paglindol na hindi tumutuloy (sa pagputok ng bulkan). Pero nandoon pa rin ang posibilidad 'pag nagkaroon ng maliit na phreatic eruption, posibleng magkaroon ng pag-akyat ng magma," he said.

Such was what happened in January 2020 when magma went up the volcano's main crater, Solidum added.

In PHIVOLCS' 8 a.m. volcano bulletin on Wednesday, the institute reminded the public that under Alert Level 1, Taal Volcano may emit ash, have steam-driven or phreatic eruption, or cause volcanic earthquakes.

TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN
17 February 2021
08:00 A.M.https://t.co/uozBBODBrg#TaalVolcano pic.twitter.com/Ti5mfLeIlB

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) February 16, 2021

PHIVOLCS also advised local government units to assess previously evacuated barangays for damage, and for the public to take the necessary precautions.

It also said pilots should avoid flying close to the crater since sudden explosions or ash may damage aircraft. —KG, GMA News