Taal Volcano update: Alert level 2 stays, 164 volcanic quakes recorded

NOMAN’S LAND Taal Volcano Island, “Pulo” to the community of fishermen, farmers and tourism workers once thriving in the area, has turned into a no man’s land after the volcano erupted in January last year. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines —  Alert level 2 remained in effect over Taal Volcano where 164 volcanic earthquakes and 67 episodes of volcanic tremor were recorded in the last 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its Thursday bulletin.

A day before, 55 earthquakes and 44 tremors were recorded. 

Alert level 2 means the volcano is under increased unrest.

Phivolcs advised that entry into Taal’s permanent danger zone must be strictly prohibited.

Local government units were told to continuously assess and boost preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.

Pilots should also avoid flying around the volcano as ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions pose aviation hazards.

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