Less gas emissions but Taal still restive—Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines—Taal Volcano’s toxic gas emissions have lessened over the past month, but the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it would not yet lower the Level 2 alert hoisted over the restive volcano.

Measurements made last May 3 and 4 showed that carbon dioxide emissions have gone down to 2,057 tons per day (t/d), Phivolcs said Saturday.

This emission value is down from 4,750 t/d last March, but still higher than the emission rate of 1,875 t/d measured last February, Phivolcs said.

Lower carbon dioxide readings do not mean that Taal was quieting down. In the past 24 hours alone, Phivolcs said it recorded 25 earthquakes in the area. Water temperature in Crater Lake also continued to rise to 32°C from 31.5°C, according to Phivolcs.

Alert Level 2, which was declared at Taal in early April, stays, Philvolcs said.