17 volcanic earthquakes recorded in Taal Volcano in past 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

Taal Volcano in Batangas had 17 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Sunday. 

These include four volcanic tremor events lasting from one to two minutes, and 13 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin.

Hot volcanic fluids continued upwelling in the volcano's crater lake, which led to plumes rising 900 meters tall before these drifted southwest.

An average of 1,232 tonnes of sulfur dioxide was emitted by the volcano on Saturday.

PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Taal Volcano.

"This means that there is a magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions," it said.

Due to the possible danger from pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should there be stronger eruptions, PHIVOLCS reiterated that Taal Volcano Island and the high-risk barangays Bilibinwang and Banyaga in the municipality of Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East in the municipality of Laurel, Batangas be evacuated.

It added that Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone.

PHIVOLCS also advised lakeshore communities around the volcano to be vigilant, take the necessary precautions against possible airborne ash and vog, and prepare for evacuation if unrest intensifies.

It also advised against flying over Taal Volcano as doing so may be hazardous to aircraft. —KG, GMA News