Taal Volcano update: Seismic activity still on; Alert Level 1 stays
CLOSED SEASON This fisher, in this undated photo, is among those who benefit from the abundance of “tawilis,” a freshwater sardine endemic to Taal Lake, a local delicacy. But the months of March and April are “closed season” for tawilis fishing to ensure its conservation. (LAUREL MUNICIPAL AGRICULTURE OFFICE)
LUCENA CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continues to detect seismic activity at Taal Volcano in Batangas.
In its Friday morning bulletin, Phivolcs reported eight volcanic tremors lasting two to four minutes within the last 24-hour observation period.
Alert Level 1 (low-level volcanic unrest) remains in effect, according to Phivolcs.
The agency reminded the public that Taal Volcano remains in an “abnormal condition” and that this “should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”
On Wednesday, the agency recorded at least 20 volcanic earthquakes, accompanied by two volcanic tremors that lasted one to two minutes.
Eighteen volcanic earthquakes were detected, along with one volcanic tremor that lasted three minutes, on Tuesday.
No seismic activity was recorded last Sunday and Monday.
Phivolcs defines volcanic earthquakes as those “generated by magmatic processes or magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano.”
“Unlike tectonic earthquakes that are produced by faulting, volcanic earthquakes are directly produced by many processes and are therefore much more varied in characteristics,” the agency explained.
Volcanic tremors, on the other hand, are continuous seismic signals with either regular or irregular wave patterns and low frequencies.
“Tremors can be caused by different processes inside the volcano, including resonance triggered by magma or magmatic gas flowing through cracks and vents, successive overlapping low-frequency earthquakes, and eruptions of magma,” Phivolcs added.
During the latest observation period on Thursday, Phivolcs noted the emission of only 597 metric tons (MT) of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from Taal Volcano’s main crater, with plumes rising up to 400 meters high.
This was lower than the 1,030 MT of SO₂ recorded on April 7 and 8.
Phivolcs classified the latest activity as a “weak emission.”
There were no reports of upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake on Taal Volcano Island, located in the middle of Taal Lake.
No volcanic smog, or “vog,” was observed during the latest monitoring period.
