(Eagle News)–An alert level 2 remains hoisted over Taal.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said activity in the main crater in the past 24 hours has been characterized by a “weak emission of steam-laden plumes rising 50 to 100 meters high before drifting southwest.”
The Taal Volcano Network also recorded 13 volcanic earthquakes that are “associated with rock fracturing processes beneath and around the edifice.”
Two of these events, which happened at 3:11 p.m. and 9:08 p.m. yesterday, registered at magnitudes 2.6 and 2.4 and were felt at Intensity I in Brgy. Poblacion, Lemery and in Brgy. Banyaga, Agoncillo respectively.
PHIVOLCS reminded the public that at Alert Level 2, “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island (TVI) and along its coast.”
PHIVOLCS recommended that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, be strictly prohibited.
Local government units were advised to “additionally assess previously evacuated areas within the seven-kilometer radius for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.”
People were “also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall, and minor earthquakes.”