269 quakes recorded around Taal over 24-hour period —PHIVOLCS

A total of 269 volcanic earthquakes including 219 episodes of volcanic tremor were recorded in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin on Friday.

The number is higher compared to the 254 volcanic earthquakes including 220 episodes of volcanic tremor reported on Thursday.

Also, these recent activities of the volcano were longer with duration from one to 37 minutes compared to the one to 27 minutes recorded from the previous report.

PHIVOLCS monitored 49 low frequency volcanic earthquakes and a volcano-tectonic earthquake.

A weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents in the Main Crater was observed, reaching up to 10 meters. Sulfur dioxide emission that averaged 1,670 tons per day was measured on Thursday.

On March 4, PHIVOLCS said the temperature in the main crater lake was at 71.8°C.

On February 12, the pH level in the main crater lake was measured at 1.59.

PHIVOLCS said there is a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since after the eruption in January 2020

“These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” it added.

Alert Level 2, which means there is an increased unrest, is currently maintained over Taal Volcano but that unrest has been elevating and is under constant evaluation, PHIVOLCS said.

It reminded the public that Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone and is off limits.

PHIVOLCS advised local government units to continually assess their preparations to be ready in case of the volcano’s renewed unrest.

It also advised pilots not to fly close to the volcano as ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions may be hazardous to aircraft. —LBG, GMA News