20 volcanic quakes recorded around Taal in 24 hours; Alert Level 1 stays

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

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

Aside from the 20  volcanic quakes in the Taal Volcano Network , PHIVOLCS also observed a weak steaming or fumarolic activity rising five meters high before drifting southwest from vents on the main crater.

TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN
23 August 2020
08:00 A.M.#TaalVolcanohttps://t.co/wK6kMKVpdu pic.twitter.com/Xk3WexXUro

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) August 23, 2020

PHIVOLCS 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 vicinity 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.

On August 20, PHIVOLCS reported that it recorded three volcanic quakes around Taal within a 24-hour observation period. It maintianed the volcano's status at Alert Level 1 (or abnormal). —LBG, GMA News