Taal Volcano still restive, Alert Level 3 stays — Phivolcs

 MANILA, Philippines — Two more phreatomagmatic events from Taal Volcano were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) early Sunday morning.

Phivolcs in its latest update, reported that the two subsequent events were recorded at 4:34 a.m. and 5:04 a.m.

“These events produced 800 meter and 400 meter-tall plumes, respectively, from the main crater that drifted southwest,” said Phivolcs.

Phivolcs likewise recorded 14 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, including 10 volcanic tremors which lasted two to three minutes and four low-frequency volcanic quakes.

Plumes as high as 1,000 meters, which drifted southwest, were also caused by the upwelling of hot volcanic liquid in Taal Lake, said Phivolcs.

 Alert Level 3 

Meanwhile, the volcano and its adjacent areas are still under Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) which means that there is “a magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions.”

Phivolcs has ordered the evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga in the municipality of Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East in Laurel, Batangas due to the possible danger of “pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.”

Activities in Taal Lake are also suspended, with communities surrounding the vicinity being reminded to be vigilant.

Phivolcs also advised pilots to avoid flying near or over the volcano due to airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden eruptions.

Last Saturday morning, Phivolcs raised Alert Level 3 over Taal Volcano after a series of short phreatomagmatic bursts, with plumes reaching as high as 1.5 kilometers.

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