PHIVOLCS says Taal Volcano’s sulfur dioxide emission increased

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday recorded an increase of volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emission from Taal Volcano, the highest since July 11.

In an advisory, the PHIVOLCS said a total of 12,125 tonnes of volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emission from Taal Volcano was recorded on Wednesday morning.

The agency said the gas emission volume was the highest since the volcano’s alert status was lowered to Alert Level 1 on July 11.

“Sulfur dioxide flux since July 15, 2022 has averaged 4,952 tonnes/day, an increase from the average of 1,289 tonnes/day between May and mid-July 2022. Increased degassing has been visible in the form of upwelling in the Main Crater Lake and voluminous stream-rich plume activity in the past three days,” it said.

PHIVOLCS said an airborne volcanic gas is expected to be drifted to the general northwest of Taal Volcano Island based on air parcel trajectory data from weather bureau PAGASA.

It said that volcanic smog or vog was also observed over the western Taal Caldera and reported to have been heavy in Laurel and Banyaga, Agoncillo, Batangas province.

A vog consists of droplets containing volcanic gas such as sulfur dioxide which is acidic and can cause “irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract in severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure,” according to PHIVOLCS.

The agency, meanwhile, said sulfur stench was also reported in Tagaytay City and Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas.

PHIVOLCS advised residents to limit exposure to vog particularly those with health conditions such as asthma, lung and heart diseases, elderly, pregnant women, and children.

A total of nine low-frequency events that included tremor of eight to 12 minutes in duration were recorded in the past observation period, PHIVOLCS said.

It also reminded the public that Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest remains in effect in Taal Volcano.

“Local government units are advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest,” PHIVOLCS said.

The agency assured the public that it is closely monitoring the volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be reported. —LBG, GMA News