Taal Volcano emitted a steam-rich plume that climbed 2,500 meters, according to the latest bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday morning, indicating continued unrest.

The agency also logged least 31 volcanic earthquakes from Taal Volcano.

“Taal Volcano Network recorded 31 low frequency volcanic earthquakes and low-level background tremor that has persisted since 08 April 2021. High levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes that rose as much as 2,500 meters high that drifted south-southwest was generated from the Taal Main Crater,” Phivolcs said.

“Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 14,699 tonnes/day on 03 July 2021. In addition, vog was observed over Taal Volcano and vicinity,” it added.

The agency has retained Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest) status over Taal Volcano.

“Alert Level 3, magma extruding from the Main Crater could drive explosive eruption. The public is reminded that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island as well as into the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited due to the hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should strong eruptions occur,” Phivolcs said.

Because of Taal Volcano’s increasing unrest, evacuation of residents near the volcano is ongoing with about 3,100 people already sent to evacuation centers.