55 volcanic quakes recorded in Taal Volcano in past 24 hours; Alert Level 2 remains

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Saturday reported that 55 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours.

Of this number, 49 volcanic tremors lasted for one to 2.5 minutes.

PHIVOLCS also said the volcano emitted a white plume on Friday afternoon at 2:11 p.m. that reached 400 to 500 meters tall which resulted from a burst of steam-rich gas from the main crater. The plume emission lasted for 2.5 minutes.

The main crater also emitted other steam-laden plumes that reached 50 meters high.

On Friday, the sulfur dioxide level at the volcano reached 582 tonnes/day on the average before the 500-meter plume was emitted.

The last time the temperature in the main crater lake was taken was on March 4, and it registered 71.8 degrees Celsius. Its pH level was recorded at 1.59 on Feb. 12.

The volcano’s landscape continues to change since the January 2020 eruption as PHIVOLCS observed “ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and inSAR data analysis indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region.”

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

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 (increased unrest), PHIVOLCS said.

It advised the public that “at Alert Level 2, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ash fall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island.”

PHIVOLCS also reminded the public that Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone and should be off limits.

It also advised local government units to ensure that barangays around Taal Lake that were evacuated previously be adequately prepared should there be renewed unrest.

PHIVOLCS also advised pilots to avoid flying close to Taal Volcano as ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions may be hazardous to aircraft. —KG, GMA News