Taal Volcano on Sunday let out 252 volcanic earthquakes on Sunday, the most for this year, forcing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to maintain Alert Level 2 over the volcano area.

Phivolcs said the 252 volcanic quakes on Sunday included 17 episodes of volcanic tremor having durations of one to four  minutes.

For Saturday, the agency recorded at least 55 volcanic quakes including 49 episodes of volcanic tremor having durations of one to 2.5 minutes.

However, the agency on Sunday observed that “activity at the main crater consisted of moderate emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that rose 10 meters high.”

“Ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR data analysis indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since after the January 2020 eruption. These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” Phivolcs added.

The agency has retained Alert Level 2 over the Taal Volcano Island, indicating the volcano is an a state of “increased unrest.”

“DOST (Department of Science and Technology)-Phivolcs reminds the public that at Alert Level 2, 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,” the agency said.