PHIVOLCS: No need to increase Taal Volcano alert level

While the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology observed a new 2023 record-high sulfuric emissions from Taal Volcano on Thursday, the current level of volcanic activity did not indicate a need to raise the volcano's alert level.

In a public briefing on Friday, PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said that Taal emitted 11,499 tonnes of Sulfuric Dioxide on Thursday, which beat the previous record of 9,762 tonnes on October 12.

Nevertheless, Thursday's emissions were still lower than the 25,000 tonnes per day on October 5, 2021 - the highest recorded emission since Taal’s eruption in 2020.

Also, only 4 volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Taal.

Despite the activity, there was no smog nor was there a threat of an eruption from the volcano.

“Madami pong factors bago po mabuo ang smog. Isa na po dito ang lakas ng hangin at ang temperature. Sa ngayon po, malakas ang hangin ng Taal. Nasa 4 meters per second po yung surface wind speed kaya wala po tayong namumuong vog,” he said.

(There are many factors in the creation of smog. Among these are wind and the temperature. Right now, the winds are strong over Taal. The surface wind is at 4 meters per second so there’s no vog forming.)

Bacolcol added that the volcano had been exhibiting long-term deflation, which indicated that there was no magma near the surface of the volcano.

“Hindi po indikasyon na kailangan nating taasan ang Alert Level from 1 to Alert Level 2. May iba pa tayong parameters na tinitignan before we raise it to Alert Level 2,” Bacolcol said.

(There were no indications that we need to raise the Alert Level from 1 to Alert Level 2. We have other parameters to observe before we raise it to Alert Level 2.)

“Dahil mataas na volcanic gas ang nai-record natin, ang nakikita lang natin dito ay nagkaroon ng degassing o release of volcanic gas. Again, marami tayong parameters na tinitignan,” he added.

(Because we recorded high levels of volcanic gas, what we see is degassing or the release of volcanic gas. Again, we have a lot of parameters to observe.)

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest) and has been continuously degassing high concentrations of volcanic SO2 since March 2021, with emissions averaging 5,019 tonnes/day since September 2023.

At Alert Level 1, “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island”.

PHIVOLCS recommended prohibiting entry into the volcano’s Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and advised local government units to continuously monitor and assess volcanic SO2 and vog exposure of, and potential impacts on, their communities.

Meanwhile, Mayon Volcano remained under Alert Level 3 with three volcanic Earthquakes recorded in the past 24 hours.

Kanlaon Volcano was also still under Alert Level 1 with only one recorded earthquake.

PHIVOLCS was coordinating with affected local government units regarding mandates and safety precautions based on the movement of the country’s volcanoes.

“Pag may pagbabago sa mga parametro katulad nung kahapon na nagbago yung volcanic gases natin, yung parameters, ito ay agad namin pinapaalam sa aming mga LGUs para masigurado nila na ang kanilang mga constituents ay ligtas sa panganib,” Bacolcol said.

(If there are changes in parameters like yesterday when volcanic gases change, we immediately inform our LGUs so they can ensure that their constituents are safe from harm.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News