Taal Volcano is acting up further as it let off 302 quakes over a 24-hour period on Friday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
On Thursday, Phivolcs recorded 270 volcanic quakes over a 24-hour period and 268 on Wednesday.
“The Taal Volcano Network recorded 302 volcanic earthquakes, including 184 episodes of volcanic tremor having durations of one to 12 minutes, and 118 low frequency volcanic earthquakes,” the agency said in its Saturday morning bulletin.
The agency, however, observed steam emissions from Taal that were not alarming. “Activity at the main crater consisted of weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that rose 30 meters.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission that averaged 925 tonnes/day was measured yesterday, 26 March 2021,” Phivolcs said.
With the increase in volcanic quakes, Phivolcs is maintaining alert level 2 over Taal Volcano Island (TVI) or “increased unrest.”
“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 and around TVI,” the agency said.
“Local government units are advised to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest,” it added.
