Taal Volcano to be observed for 2 more weeks before alert level can be lowered —PHIVOLCS

Taal Volcano's activity will be observed for two more weeks before its current status—Alert Level 3—can further be downgraded, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Monday.

"Ang stand down procedure po namin sa pagbababa ng alerto, within two weeks po nating binabantayan 'yan. Pwede nating ma-shorten 'yan kung talagang very definite na dire-diretsong pababa 'yung mga status ng ating mga binabantayang parametro," PHIVOLCS officer-in-charge Renato Solidum said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

Two weeks after Taal Volcano initially erupted on January 12, PHIVOLCS lowered the alert status to Alert Level 3, meaning it has "decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption."

In a bulletin released at 8 a.m. on Monday, the institute said Taal Volcano's sulfur dioxide emission has dropped to an average of 87 tonnes per day—much lower than the average of 5,299 tonnes per day that was recorded on January 13.

The sulfur dioxide emission indicates the upward movement of magma, according to PHIVOLCS.

LOOK: Taal Volcano and nearby islands as of 8:28 a.m. | via @_iancruz pic.twitter.com/RIa5XoUAKC

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 27, 2020

Meanwhile, 170 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded by the Taal Volcano Network, four of which were low-frequency ones.

https://t.co/tnKimkFooc #TaalVolcano #TaalEruption2020 pic.twitter.com/bxe90NWzrH

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) January 27, 2020

"Mayroon pang pangilan-ilan na tinatawag kaming low-frequency earthquakes o nagpapahiwatig na may pagkilos pa," Solidum said.

In the past 24 hours, the main crater's activity has been characterized by weak to moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes, 50 to 800 meters high, that drifted northeast.

Sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions (involving both magma and water), volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur, according to PHIVOLCS.

It advised that the Taal Volcano Island and communities west of the island within a seven kilometer radius from the main crater should remain off-limits.

Areas outside the seven-kilometer radius have to be assessed by authorities for damages and road accessibilities. Returning residents must also be prepared to evacuate in case of the volcano's renewed unrest, it added.

Further, those living beside active river channels with thick deposits of volcanic ash from Taal's previous eruption must be vigilant when there is "heavy and prolonged rainfall since the ash can be washed away and form lahars along the channels."

Aircraft must also avoid flying close to the volcano due to hazards that may be posed by airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash, PHIVOLCS said.

Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste said in a separate interview on Unang Balita on Monday that the displaced residents of Taal Volcano Island will be relocated to Ibaan in Batangas for their safety. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News