March 11 ------ Alert Level 2 has been maintained over Taal Volcano in Batangas on Thursday, March 11, as several volcanic tremor episodes have been observed in the past 24 hours. In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said its volcano network in Taal recorded 42 episodes of volcanic tremor with durations of one to seven minutes in the past 24-hour period.
The state seismology bureau also monitored low-level background volcanic tremor that began at 6:37 p.m. on March 10 that lasted for about four and a half hours. Activities at the volcano’s main crater consisted of weak emission of steam-laden plumes from fumarolic vents that reached five meters high. Ground deformation parameters also indicated a very slow and steady inflation and expansion of the Taal region since the January 2020 eruption.
“These parameters may indicate increased magmatic activity at shallow depths beneath the edifice,” Phivolcs said. Given such conditions, Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 due to “increased unrest.” State seismologists warned of possible sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas that could threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island.
Phivolcs also recommended that entry into the volcano island, Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited. Local government units were advised to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest. Civil aviation authorities were also told to remind pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft.
Source: mb.com.ph
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