PHIVOLCS lowers Taal Volcano's status to Alert Level 1

PHIVOLCS on Thursday downgraded Taal Volcano's alert status from Level 2 (decreased unrest) to Level 1 (abnormal) after weeks of low-level activity.

"Taal Volcano's condition in the succeeding four (4) weeks after step-down to Alert Level 2 on 14 February 2020 has been characterized by low-level volcanic earthquake activity, stabilizing ground deformation of the Taal Caldera and Taal Volcano Island (TVI) edifices and weak surface activity at the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure," it said in an 8 a.m. bulletin.

PHIVOLCS said the Taal Volcano Network has recorded a decline in the daily average of volcanic quakes -- from 141 between January 16 to February 14, to 31 from February 14 to present.

Majority of these earthquakes, PHIVOLCS said, were associated with rock-fracturing processes, "and only six (6) low frequency events associated with magmatic or hydrothermal activity were detected until 6 March."

"These parameters are consistent with degassing ponded magma rather than active magma transport to and from the shallow magma reservoir beneath [Taal Volcano island]," PHIVOLC said.

Despite this, PHIVOLCS still reminded the public that sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can still occur and threaten areas within the island.

"DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited," it said. --KBK, GMA News