10 earthquakes detected in Taal Volcano in past 24 hours

Taal Volcano. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — At least 10 earthquakes in Taal Volcano in Batangas province were detected over the last 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday, May 22.

In its bulletin, the state volcanologist said three volcanic tremors that lasted two to four minutes accompanied the earthquakes on Tuesday.

On Monday, five tremors that lasted two to four minutes accompanied eight volcanic earthquakes.

Last Sunday, the volcano also logged four volcanic tremors that lasted two to four minutes.

READ: Taal Volcano records 14 earthquakes, 4 tremors in 24 hours — Phivolcs

The state seismologist defined volcanic earthquakes as those that come from an active volcano and are distinguished by their “mode of arrivals, periods, amplitudes, etc.”

Volcanic tremors, on the other hand, are “continuous seismic signals with regular or irregular sine wave appearance and low frequencies.”

In its latest update, Phivolcs reported that the volcano emitted 3,823 metric tons (MT) of sulfur dioxide, which reached 1,500 meters high on Tuesday.

An “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake” was also observed on Taal Volcano Island, locally known as “Pulo,” which sits in the middle of Taal Lake.

READ: Phivolcs records 4 phreatic eruptions at Taal Volcano’s main crater

Taal Volcano is still under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest), Phivolcs said.

The agency reminded the public that Taal Volcano remained in an “abnormal condition” and “should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”.

Phivolcs reminded that entry into Taal Volcano Island, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, and boating and flying any aircraft close to the volcano remained prohibited.