Volcanic quake felt in Batangas towns, Tagaytay

A volcanic earthquake was felt in some areas in Batangas and Cavite early Monday morning as Alert Level 3 remains over Taal Volcano three weeks after its initial eruption, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PHIVOLCS said 134 seismic events were detected by the Taal Volcano Network in the past 24 hours, one of which was a low-frequency earthquake.

A magnitude 3.2 volcanic earthquake that occurred around 4:20 a.m. was felt at Intensity IV in the towns of Laurel and Agoncillo in Batangas.

Intensity III was experienced in Lemery, Batangas while Tagaytay City in Cavite felt the seismic event at Intensity II.

"These earthquakes signify magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the main crater," PHIVOLCS said.

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— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) February 3, 2020

Moderate to voluminous emission of dirty-white to white steam-laden plumes— which rose 800 high—was observed in Taal Volcano's main crater in the past 24 hours.

The volcano's sulfur dioxide emission was at an average of 97 tonnes/day as of February 1.

The presence of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere indicates the upward movement of magma to the surface, according to state volcanologists.

PHIVOLCS warned the public that "sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions (involving both magma and water), volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island and nearby lakeshores."

It advised that the Taal Volcano Island and communities west of the island within a seven-kilometer radius from the main crater should remain off-limits.

Areas outside the seven-kilometer radius have to be assessed by authorities for damages and road accessibilities. Returning residents must also be prepared to evacuate in case of the volcano's renewed unrest, it added.

Further, those living beside active river channels with thick deposits of volcanic ash from Taal's previous eruption must be vigilant for possible lahars when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Aircraft must also avoid flying close to the volcano due to hazards that may be posed by airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash, PHIVOLCS said. — RSJ, GMA News