Sulfur dioxide emission increases at Taal Volcano

LUCENA CITY, Philippines — Taal Volcano in Batangas province has shown an increase in sulfur dioxide emissions, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Saturday, March 14.

In its 24-hour monitoring report, Phivolcs said the volcano released 2,039 metric tons of sulfur dioxide on Friday, an emission classified as “weak.”

READ: Seismic activity slightly rises at Taal Volcano

The recorded output was significantly higher than the daily average of 576 metric tons observed since March 5.

Despite the increase in gas emissions, the agency said seismic activity remained low. Only two volcanic tremors were recorded during the monitoring period, along with a continuing tremor that began at 5:36 a.m. the previous day.

Phivolcs also reported no signs of upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake and noted that no volcanic smog, or “vog,” was observed.

The volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest, the agency said.

Phivolcs reminded the public that the volcano is still in an “abnormal condition” and warned that the current alert level should not be interpreted as a complete cessation of unrest or the possibility of eruptive activity.

Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in the country, with 38 recorded historical eruptions. /jpv