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Seven volcanic quakes recorded at Taal Volcano; Alert Level 3 remains
Taal Volcano has had seven volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, and Alert Level 3 remains in effect, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Saturday.
Of this total, two are low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, four are volcanic tremor events lasting one to two minutes, and one low-level background tremor which has persisted since July 7, PHIVOLCS said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.
BULKANG TAAL
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) July 10, 2021
Buod ng 24 oras na pagmamanman
10 Hulyo 2021 alas-5 ng umaga #TaalVolcanohttps://t.co/WfFRZZbPGW pic.twitter.com/TDg0B3wJIV
The volcano also emitted high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2 gas emissions) measured at an average of 4,149 tonnes/day on Friday.
Steam-rich plumes reached as high as 1,200 meters. The plumes drifted generally westward from the main crater.
"Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island has begun deflating in April 2021 while the Taal region continues to undergo very slow extension since 2020," PHIVOLCS said.
With Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest), "magma extruding from the Main Crater could drive explosive eruption," it warned.
PHIVOLCS reiterated that Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone and entry should be barred.
Likewise entry should be prohibited in high-risk barangays of the municipalities of Agoncillo and Laurel as these areas may be affected by pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami in case strong eruptions occur.
PHIVOLCS also said all activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed.
It also urged lakeshore communities to be alert, take precautions against possible airborne ash and vog, and prepare for evacuation in case the volcano shows more intensified activities.
Pilots should avoid flying over Taal Volcano Island "as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft," PHIVOLCS said. —KG, GMA News
