The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) started on Tuesday the preemptive evacuation of residents from Taal Volcano Island as the volcano showed signs of more unrest in the past few days.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its Volcano Bulletin that it recorded increased quakes from the island over a period of three days starting Saturday, with 98 recorded over a 24-hour period on Monday, according to Phivolcs.

The PCG has notified residents of the island of the preemptive evacuation, with the coast guard deploying five of its vessels. About 200 residents from Sitio Tabla and Sitio San Isidro were targeted for preemptive evacuation.

Phivolcs said that the 98 tremor episodes from Taal on Monday had durations from five to 12 minutes. The agency also reported volcanic quakes from Taal Volcano in the following days: Sunday, six lasting from three to seven minutes; and Saturday, 12 from six to 12 minutes each. Phivolcs recorded no tremors or earthquakes from Taal Volcano on Friday.

Phivolcs also observed that “Activity in the main crater consisted of weak emission of white steam-laden plumes from fumaroles that rose five meters high. Temperature highs of 77.1 degrees Centigrade and pH of 1.59 were last measured from the main crater lake on 12 February 2021.”

With Phivolcs recording numerous tremors or quakes from Taal Volcano, it has maintained Alert 1 over the volcano area.

“Alert Level 1 (Abnormal) is maintained over Taal Volcano. DOST (Department of Science and Technology)-Phivolcs reminds the public that at Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island,” Phivolcs said.

Taal Volcano erupted in January 12, 2020 forcing Phivolcs to raise Alert Level 4.