By Cleizl Pardilla
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned the public against setting foot on Taal Volcano Island as volcanic activity there continues to show signs of unrest.
The state seismology agency has recorded 268 volcanic earthquakes, including 243 episodes of volcanic tremor, some lasting up to eight minutes, in the past 24 hours.
The institute has also observed weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that reached up to five meters at the main crater of Taal volcano, while sulfur dioxide emission was also seen at an average of 1,109 tonnes measured on March 24.
Phivolcs has raised Alert Level 2 denoting “increasing unrest” over Taal Volcano, warning that “ang steam-driven o phreatic na pagputok, volcanic earthquake, bahagyang abo, at mapanganib na ipon o pagbuga ng volcanic gas ay maaaring biglaang maganap at manalasa sa mga paligid ng Taal Volcano Island.”
[Steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, volcanic earthquake, light ashfall, and dangerous volcanic gas emissions might suddenly occur and damage the vicinity of Taal Volcano Island.]
The agency reminded all local government units near Taal Volcano Island to be prepared, monitor the situation, and take necessary precautions, adding that they should also build up the preparedness of those who had been evacuated from the areas around Lake Taal before, in case there should be renewed intense volcanic activity.
The volcano last erupted in January 2020, causing the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents from their homes. At the time, Phivolcs marked Taal Volcano Island as a permanent danger zone, making the area an off-limits no-man’s land.
