PHIVOLCS logs 10-hour long tremor at Taal Volcano

A volcanic tremor was recorded on Saturday at Taal Volcano in Batangas, which lasted for 10 hours and 30 minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Sunday.

PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, however, affirmed that Taal Volcano seemed a bit calmer on Sunday morning compared to the past few days as it had no phreatic or phreatomagmatic eruption in the past 24 hours.

“For the past 24 hours, wala po tayong volcanic earthquake na naitala sa Taal Volcano and nasa Alert Level 1 pa rin ang Taal Volcano,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(For the past 24 hours, we have not recorded a volcanic earthquake in Taal Volcano, which remains at Alert Level 1.)

Despite this, Bacolcol said that phreatic eruption or phreatomagmatic eruption may still occur at Taal Volcano, thus entry into Taal Volcano Island—which is considered a Permanent Danger Zone—is prohibited.

Flying any aircraft close to the volcano is also not allowed.

The volcano emitted 1,256 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux on Saturday, October 12, based on PHIVOLCS’ latest bulletin.

An upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake was also observed by PHIVOLCS.

The volcano also generated a “moderate” 900-meter tall plume, which drifted southwest and west-southwest.

Taal Volcano is currently under Alert Level 1 with a "low-level unrest."

Previously, vog or volcanic smog was observed in Taal Volcano. Vog is composed of sulfur dioxide gas and other volcanic gasses which mix with atmospheric oxygen, moisture, dust, and sunlight.

“Four days ago mayroong vog…kaya nag-suspend ng classes. Pero after that, wala na. And maulan lately so madali namang na-dissipate 'yung sulfur dioxide,” Bacolcol said.

(Four days ago there was a vog, so classes were suspended. But after that, there was none. It has also been raining lately so the sulfur dioxide easily dissipates.) —KG, GMA Integrated News