ALERT LEVEL 1

Four volcanic quakes recorded in Taal Volcano

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

These included two volcanic tremors lasting one to two minutes long and low-level background tremor.

The volcano also emitted 7,015 tons of sulfur dioxide on Friday, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin.

This was lower than the 10,718 tons of sulfur dioxide emitted by the volcano on Thursday. 

Voluminous emission of plumes were also observed rising up to 1,200 meters tall before these drifted northwest.

PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest) remains in effect over Taal Volcano.

It reiterated that the permanent danger zone — Taal Volcano Island especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures — should be kept off limits.

Likewise, occupancy and boating on Taal Lake are not allowed, PHIVOLCS said.

It also warned against flying aircraft close to the volcano.

Taal Volcano may have steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas, PHIVOLCS said. —KG, GMA News