Danger lingers as Taal quakes indicate possible eruption, Phivolcs warns

MANILA, Philippines — Low-frequency earthquakes are still jolting Taal Volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said that the Philippine Seismic Network recorded three volcanic earthquakes between 5 a.m. on Tuesday to 5 a.m. on Wednesday.

The earthquakes were measured at magnitudes 1.7 to 2.1, with one felt at  Intensity III.

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

Meanwhile, activity in the volcano’s main crater was characterized as “moderate to voluminous emission of white to dirty white steam-laden plumes”  reaching 600 to800 meters tall that drifted northeast.

Sulfur dioxide emission was measured at an average of 64 tons per day, Phivolcs said.

Alert Level 3 is still in effect, which means that “sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island and nearby lakeshores.”

“DOST-Phivolcs recommends that entry into the Taal Volcano Island as well as into areas over Taal Lake and communities west of the island within a seven-kilometer radius from the main crater must be strictly prohibited,” Phivolcs added.

GSG