Taal degassing on March 11 'more active,' says PHIVOLCS

Degassing from the main crater of Taal Volcano has become "more active" since midnight of March 11, according to PHIVOLCS.

In a tweet, PHIVOLCS also said volcanic S02 emission "is on an increased trend since March 6 and recently peaked at 15,900t/d on 09 March 2022."

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

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on March 11, PHIVOLCS said it recorded eight volcanic earthquakes, including four tremors two to eight minutes long, in Taal in the past 24 hours.

Plume rising up to 1,200 meters tall that drifted southwest was also observed in the volcano.

Since Alert Level 2 is hoisted, entry into Taal Volcano Island (Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ), especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures, is prohibited.

Flying any aircraft close to the volcano is also not allowed, PHIVOLCS said.

Among the possible hazards that may occur, according to PHIVOLCS, are steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas. —KBK, GMA News