Phivolcs lowers Taal Volcano alert level to 2

MANILA, Philippines — Government volcanologists on Friday lowered Taal Volcano’s alert status from Level 3 to Level 2, which is characterized by “decreased unrest.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), in its 8 a.m. Taal Volcano bulletin,  downgraded the volcano’s alert status after observing “decreased magmatic unrest and generation of weak steam-laden plumes” in the activity of the main crater.

“Alert Level 2 means that there is decreased unrest but should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased or that the threat of an eruption has disappeared,” Phivolcs said.

“Should an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn a potential eruption, the Alert Level may be raised back to Alert Level 3,” it added.

Phivolcs also noted that Alert Level 2 means “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ash fall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island and along its coast.”

Phivolcs added that people should keep off Taal Volcano Island and the permanent danger zone despite the lowered alert level status.

Phivolcs also noted that Alert Level 2 means “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ash fall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island and along its coast.”

Phivolcs added that people should keep off Taal Volcano Island and the permanent danger zone despite the lowered alert level status.

Taal Volcano had a major eruption on January 12, 2020 which displaced thousands of residents in Cavite and Batangas.

Phivolcs raised Alert Level 4 after  the volcano spewed voluminous ash.

On January 26, the volcano’s alert level was downgraded to 3, and indication of a decreased possibility of an eruption.

That development allowed thousands of residents outside the seven-kilometer danger zone to return to their homes.

GSG