PHIVOLCS monitoring Taal Volcano's slight swelling —Solidum

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)  is closely monitoring Taal Volcano as it slightly swelled again, officer-in-charge and Science and Technology Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said.

“Parang dumami nang bahagya ang earthquake at namamaga na naman siya ng kaunti, so we have to closely monitor it. Tignan natin kung ano ang ikikilos,” Solidum said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV Thursday. 

“Kasi 'yung bagong magma na umakyat during the eruption and weeks after ay nandoon sa ilalim, mga four to five kilometers,” he said.

Alert Level 1 remained at Taal Volcano, which means the entry of people into the volcano island is strictly prohibited.

Aside from this, people are not also allowed to enter the Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, is strictly prohibited.

“So bawal pong pumunta ang mga tao,” Solidum said.

“Hindi naman talaga siya nag-nonormalize pa, abnormal pa siya. Ito ay kailangan nating bantayan nang mabuti kung babalik ba siya ng more abnormal than present o kung tuloy-tuloy na pababa,” he added.

In an 8 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, PHIVOLCS said the Taal Volcano Network recorded 14 volcanic earthquakes.

Weak to moderate steaming or fumarolic activity rising 10 meters high before drifting southwest was observed also from vents of the main crater and fissure vents along the Daang Kastila trail.

At Alert Level 1, PHIVOLCS said phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the volcano Island. —Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News