Still on Alert Level 3, Taal Volcano registers 35 quakes – Phivolcs

VOLCANO WATCH Residents in communities within the danger zone of Taal Volcano in Batangas province have left their homes to ensure their families’ safety amid the volcanic unrest. Steam-driven plumes are seen on Taal in this photo taken in Agoncillo town, Batangas, on Monday, July 5, 2021. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday said it recorded 35 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal Volcano over the past 24 hours.

In its latest advisory, Phivolcs said that 17 of the total tremors in Taal Volcano had durations of one to 59 minutes while 18 were low-frequency quakes.

Phivolcs is also monitoring a low-level background tremor in the area which has persisted since July 7.

Taal also generated high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions and steam-rich plumes reaching 900 meters drifting east, according to Phivolcs, adding that SO2 emission averaged 5,286 tons.

Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Taal, it also said. Alert Level 3 was raised on July 1 after the volcano had a phreatomagmatic blast, which means magma extruding from its main creater could trigger an “explosive eruption.”

READ: Alert Level 3 raised on Taal Volcano after emitting kilometer-high phreatomagmatic plume

Phivolcs said the entire Taal Volcano Island remains a permanent danger zone, meaning entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays in the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas province are prohibited due to the hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should strong eruptions occur.

Communities around Taal Lake are also advised to remain vigilant and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify.

“Phivolcs maintains its close monitoring of Taal Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders,” the agency said.

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