2 phreatic events recorded at Taal Volcano - PHIVOLCS

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded two weak phreatic events at the Taal Volcano on Saturday.

According to an advisory, the steam-driven events, which occurred at 2:31 p.m. and 2:39 p.m., caused 800-meter plumes.

The phreatic events lasted a minute each.

Meanwhile, the average sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission of 6,571 tonnes per day on Friday was lower than the average of 7,895 tonnes per day since January.

''Weak phreatic activity is likely driven by the continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal Main Crater and could be succeeded by similar events,'' the advisory read.

However, ''the background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation detected at Taal indicate that unrest is unlikely to progress into a magmatic eruption,'' it added.

Taal Volcano remains at Alert Level 1, or a low level of unrest.

PHIVOLCS advised the public not to enter the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and local government units to continuously monitor, assess the preparedness of their communities, and undertake appropriate response measures to mitigate hazards.

''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,'' it said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News