Taal Volcano continues to record earthquakes
LUCENA CITY — Volcanic earthquakes and tremors continued to be detected at Taal Volcano in Batangas province, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Saturday.
At least 10 volcanic earthquakes were recorded over the last 24-hour period, Phivolcs said in a bulletin.
The series of quakes were accompanied by one volcanic tremor that lasted two minutes, it added.
On April 24, the agency recorded 13 volcanic earthquakes accompanied by one volcanic tremor. From April 14 to April 21, it logged 41 volcanic earthquakes and 12 volcanic tremors.
From April 8 to April 12, Taal Volcano recorded 55 volcanic earthquakes and 19 volcanic tremors, Phivolcs records showed.
Phivolcs explained that volcanic earthquakes originate from active volcanoes and exhibit distinct patterns characterized by their “mode of arrivals, periods and amplitudes.”
On the other hand, volcanic tremors are continuous seismic signals with either regular or irregular wave patterns and low frequencies.
However, during the latest observation period on Friday, Phivolcs noted the emission of only 348 metric tons of harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the volcano’s main crater.
Phivolcs classified the latest spewing activity of the volcano as “weak emission.”
The latest emission level dropped from 566 MT of toxic gas logged on April 23 and 22 and 1,120 MT of toxic gas recorded from April 18 to April 21.
There were no reports of upwelling hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake of Taal Volcano Island, which sits in the middle of Taal Lake.
No volcanic smog, or “vog,” was also observed during the latest monitoring period.
Taal Volcano is still under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest), Phivolcs said.
The agency reminded the public that Taal Volcano remained in an “abnormal condition” and “should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.”
Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in the country, with 38 recorded historical eruptions.
