The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the most number of quakes and tremors from Taal Volcano over a 24-hour period on Friday, but still maintained Alert Level I over the volcano island.

The agency recorded a total of 158 volcanic earthquakes and tremors on Friday.

“In the past 24-hour period (on Friday), the Taal Volcano Network recorded 28 volcanic earthquakes and 130 volcanic tremor episodes having durations of one to five minutes,” Phivolcs said.

However, the agency observed only one emission from the volcano on Friday.

“Despite these, only weak steam-laden plumes were emitted by fumarolic activity at the vents of the main crater,” it said.

The total number of quakes and tremors recorded by Phivolcs on Friday was still greater than the 113 volcanic tremor episodes on Thursday, which had durations of one to 34 minutes.

On Wednesday, Phivolcs recorded over a 24-hour period 69 tremors inside the volcano island each with durations of 1 to 61 minutes.

On Tuesday, Monday and Sunday, Phivolcs recorded one to six volcanic tremors from Taal.

While Phivolcs recorded more volcanic quakes from Taal on Friday, it still maintained Alert Level 1 (Abnormal) over the volcano area. Authorities two weeks ago have started evacuating people from the volcano island.

“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,” it added.