Taal Volcano update: Steaming, upwelling activities reported; alert level 2 stays

Taal Volcano (taken October 26, 2020). Photo by Mike Frialde/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —  An “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater lake” of Taal Volcano was reported Tuesday morning, which generated 300-meter high steam-laden plumes, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

Phivolcs added that a total of 383 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours including 238 episodes of volcanic tremor lasting from one to 12 minutes.

There were also 143 low frequency volcanic earthquakes and low-level background tremors that started in the morning of April 8.

Phivolcs said sulfur emission averaged 1,886 tons/day on Monday, April 12, while a temperature of 71.8 degrees Celsius and pH of 1.59 were last measured from the main crater lake on March 4 and February 12, respectively.

A “very slow and steady inflation and expansion” of Taal Volcano region is still being observed, Phivolcs added.

“These parameters indicate persistent magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” Phivolcs said.

The volcano remains under Alert Level 2, meaning sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas are possible.

The public is reminded that entry is strictly prohibited on Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinity of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.

Phivolcs advised local government units to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest.

Civil aviation authorities must likewise advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano.

“DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders,” Phivolcs said. #

TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN
14 April 2021
08:00 A.M.#TaalVolcanohttps://t.co/2O8SgzrT12 pic.twitter.com/YDlzOE564a

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) April 14, 2021

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