Taal Volcano is showing signs of less unrest as the number of volcanic quakes recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) over a 24-hour period on Saturday was only 14.

That is a stark contrast to the 158 volcanic earthquakes and tremors recorded by Phivolcs on Friday.

“In the past 24-hour period, the Taal Volcano Network recorded 14 volcanic tremor episodes having durations of one to four minutes,” Phivolcs said in its latest bulletin on Taal Volcano, adding it also observed weak emissions from the volcano on Saturday.

“Only weak steam-laden plumes were emitted by fumarolic activity at the vents of the main crater,” it added.

The total number of quakes and tremors recorded by Phivolcs on Friday was still greater than the 113 volcanic tremor episodes on Thursday.

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.

However, even with the dramatic drop in volcanic quakes and tremors on Saturday, Phivolcs is still maintaining Alert Level 1 (Abnormal) 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,” it added.