Alert Level 3 remains over Taal Volcano; 39 volcanic earthquakes recorded

Alert Level 3 is maintained over Taal Volcano on Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in an 8 a.m. bulletin.

Five days ago, PHIVOLCS escalated the warning from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 over the volcano after its phreatomagmatic eruption on Thursday, which was followed by weaker explosions.

Alert Level 3 means the magma extruding from the main crater could drive an explosive eruption, according to the PHIVOLCS.

In the past 24 hours, 39 volcanic earthquakes, including two volcanic tremor events with durations of three to five minutes, 35 low frequency volcanic earthquakes, and two hybrid earthquakes were recorded.

Low-level background tremor also has persisted in Taal Volcano since April 8.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission from the volcano averaged 5,299 tonnes per day on Monday.

The high levels of SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes from the Taal main crater reached up to 3,000 meters high that drifted south and east.

Early Tuesday morning, a steam-driven plume was seen rising from the crater.

According to PHIVOLCS, Taal Volcano Island began deflating in April 2021 while the Taal region continues to undergo very slow extension since 2020. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News