More quakes recorded, rumbling heard in volcano as PHIVOLCS warn of another eruption
(Eagle News) – Taal Volcano emitted the highest level of sulfur dioxide emission on Sunday, July 4, with 22,628 tons recorded that day, aside from strong shallow low-frequency quakes, that all indicate another eruption could occur soon.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that the SO2 gas emissions on Sunday was the “highest level ever recorded in Taal” in a bulletin on Sunday. This is higher than the earlier record of sulfur dioxide emissions reported on Saturday, July 3, at 14,699 tons.
PHIVOLCS also noted “a total of 26 strong and very shallow low-frequency volcanic earthquakes associated with magmatic degassing” beneath the eastern sector of the Volcano Island.
“Some of these earthquakes were reportedly accompanied by rumbling and weakly felt by fish cage caretakers off the northeastern shorelines of Volcano Island. These observation parameters may indicate that an eruption similar to the 1 July 2021 event may occur anytime soon,” PHIVOLCS said.
-Alert level 3 remains-
Alert level 3, however, remains in Taal Volcano even as PHIVOLCS warned that the current sulfur dioxide parameters “indicate ongoing magmatic extrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding explosions.”
The SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes rose as high as 2,500 meters above Taal Volcano, and drifted southwest, southeast, and north-northwest was generated from the Taal Main Crater.
-Evacuation advisory-
“PHIVOLCS strongly recommends Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas Province remain evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur,” the agency’s bulletin said.
“The public is reminded that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited.”
It further reiterated that “all activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time.”
PHIVOLCS advised communities around the Taal Lake shores “to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify.”
“Because of unprecedented high SO2 degassing from Taal Main Crater, local government units are additionally advised to conducts health checks on communities affected by vog to assess the severity of SO2 impacts on their constituents and to consider temporary evacuation of severely exposed residents to safer areas,” Phivolcs said.
“Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying over Taal Volcano Island as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft,” it added.
(Eagle News Service)
