White steam-laden plumes seen rising from Taal Volcano crater

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Sunday said Taal Volcano emitted white steam-laden plumes 50 to meters tall in the past 24 hours.

The said emissions were weak and the plumes drifted southwest, it said in its 8 a.m. volcano bulletin.

#TaalVolcano https://t.co/i5IipmMSAL pic.twitter.com/YYLSKmsYI6

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) February 2, 2020

The sulfur dioxide emission reached an average of 97 tonnes per day.

As for volcanic earthquakes, 153 such temblors were recorded by the Taal Volcano Network, including two low-frequency events.

PHIVOLCS said this means magma is still moving and "could lead to eruptive activity at the Main Crater."

Alert Level 3 remains raised over Taal Volcano on Sunday.

PHIVOLCS said the volcano may still emit steam-driven phreatomagmatic explosions, and cause volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal volcanic gas expulsions which may threaten Taal Volcano Island and areas around Taal Lake.

It also reminded the public that Taal Volcano Island and areas within seven-kilometer radius from the main crater is a danger zone and entry must be prohibited. —KG, GMA News