PHIVOLCS RAISES TAAL VOLACANO STATUS TO ALERT LEVEL 2
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Tuesday raised the Taal Volcano’s status to Alert Level 2 as it continues to exhibit “increasing unrest.”
In 8 a.m. advisory, the state seismology bureau said total number of volcanic tremor events in Taal Volcano in Batangas has increased to 866 since the onset of increased activity on February 13.
Phivolcs explained that raising the alert level means “there is probable magmatic activity that may or may not lead to an eruption.”
Evacuation of residents around Taal Lake is not yet recommended, however, entry into Taal Volcano Island—a permanent danger zone—remains strictly prohibited.
“Local government units are advised 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,” the advisory read.
Phivolcs noted that residents of these barangays are advised to be always prepared, to keep calm and listen to informational only from trusted or verified sources.
Meanwhile, increased activity of the volcano is also observed as Taal Volcano Network recorded 28 volcanic tremor episodes, four low frequency volcanic earthquakes and one hybrid earthquake at shallow depths were recorded in the past 24 hours.
“Overall, seismic activity in the past month indicates increased magmatic and hydrothermal activity at shallow depths beneath TVI,” it said.
A total of 141 low frequency volcanic quakes have occurred within one kilometer depths beneath the volcano island and immediate vicinities.
Volcanic tremors have increased seismic energy compared to previously recorded episodes and ranged between three to 17 minutes in duration.
Phivolcs also recorded microgravity changes across the Taal caldera.
Survey observations conducted in mid-February in the Main Crater Lake revealed a continuing increase in acidity to pH 1.59 from a pH of 2.79 in January 2020 with a temperature high of 74.6ºC.
Taal Volcano erupted last January 2020 after decades of inactivity, displacing thousands of people in Batangas.
