THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday said that there is an ongoing low-level activity in Taal Volcano in Batangas.
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 which means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas are possible
“A relatively weak and shallow but continuous volcanic tremor generated by the Daang Kastila fissure” has been recorded by all 15 seismic stations of the Taal Volcano Network since 6:35 a.m. on Friday,” said Phivolcs.
The tremor came with heightened thermal anomalies on the northern portion and upwelling of volcanic fluids in the Taal Main Crater Lake detected by remote cameras.
State seismologists also observed that the southwest Volcano Island inflated since the fourth week of May 2023, indicating “shallow hydrothermal activity”.
Phivolcs said Alert Level 2 may be raised should “current low-level activity worsen or pronounced changes in monitored parameters forewarn of increasing unrest.”
The Agency warned the public against entering the Taal Volcano Island, which is a permanent danger zone.
It advised local government units to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.
Pilots were told not to fly close to the Taal Volcano due to hazards like airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-driven ashes.
