Taal Volcano’s emission of toxic gas wanes

CALMNESS This view of Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City on Jan. 4 is one of serenity despite the high volume of sulfur dioxide emission recorded in previous weeks. —TAGAYTAY CITY TOURISM OFFICE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY — After spewing a high volume of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the past four days, Taal Volcano’s release of harmful gas has subsided, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

A total of 12,669 metric tonnes (MT) of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emission from the Taal Main Crater was measured during the past 24 hours, Phivolcs said in its bulletin on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

The volcano’s record-high release of 15,145 MT tons was measured on Jan. 25 to 28. The volcano logged 11,499 MT on Nov. 9 last year, the highest emission level recorded in 2023.

One volcanic earthquake in Taal Volcano was detected that lasted five minutes, the latest update showed.

READ: Taal Volcano continues to spew toxic gas

READ: Taal Volcano emits high-volume of toxic gas anew

The state volcanologist also noted an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake.”

The Phivolcs said that the latest emission rose to 900 meters high  before drifting southwest.

However, visual monitors observed no volcanic smog or vog over Taal Caldera throughout the day. Vog contains acidic volcanic gases in fine droplets, causing eye, throat, and respiratory irritation. Severity depends on gas concentrations and exposure duration.

Taal Volcano remained under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest), according to the state volcanologist.

Phivolcs reminded the public that Taal Volcano continued to display an “abnormal condition” and “should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”