Taal Volcano has had 2 volcanic tremors in past 24 hours; Alert Level 1 remains

Two volcanic tremors were recorded at Taal Volcano in Batangas in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Saturday.

One of the volcanic tremors has been ongoing since 6:35 a.m. of Friday, PHIVOLCS said in its 5 a.m. bulletin on June 3.

Some 5,831 tonnes of sulfur dioxide were emitted by the volcano, with PHIVOLCS observing a pronounced upwelling of hot volcanic fluids at the Main Crater Lake.

Meanwhile, moderate plumes rising up to 1,500 meters tall were seen. These drifted north and east-northeast.

PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 1 (Low-level unrest) remains in effect over Taal Volcano.

Taal Volcano Island remains off limits, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, the agency reiterated.

Occupancy and boating on Taal Volcano, and flying aircraft close to the volcano are also still prohibited.

This is because steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas may occur.

On Friday, PHIVOLCS said “relatively weak and shallow” but continuous volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the area near the volcano at 6:35 a.m. 

There was also a slight increase in gas emissions, with Taal Volcano emitting 5,360 tonnes/day of sulfur dioxide between May 22 and June 1, compared to the less than 3,000 tonnes/day recorded between April 1 and May 21.

PHIVOLCS also saw an upwelling of hot fluids in the Taal Main Crater Lake and the pronounced inflation of the southwest volcano island since the fourth week of May.

“These parameters indicate that shallow hydrothermal activity driven by a new phase of magma degassing at depth is currently taking place at Taal Volcano,” the agency said. —KG, GMA Integrated News