PHIVOLCS records 3 volcanic quakes around Taal within 24-hour period

Three volcanic quakes were recorded around the Taal Volcano area within a 24-hour period, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Thursday morning.

In its Taal bulletin, the PHIVOLCS also said that Alert Level 1 (or abnormal) is maintained as the volcano's status.

TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN
20 August 2020
08:00 A.M.#TaalVolcano https://t.co/83wC8bCqS1 pic.twitter.com/4QHHdOQN1r

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) August 19, 2020

Aside from the three volcanic quakes in the Taal Volcano Network , PHIVOLCS also observed a weak steaming or fumarolic activity rising 80 meters high before drifting southwest was observed from vents on the main crater.

The agency reminds the public of the volcano's alert  level status as 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 (TVI).

Moreover, 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."

Local government units are advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibility and to strengthen preparedness, contingency, and communication measures in case of renewed unrest,  the PHIVOLCS said. 

People are also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, possible ashfall, and minor earthquakes.

Likewise, civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft, it said. 

DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity for any new significant development. —LBG, GMA News