Phivolcs may lower Taal alert level if volcanic activity continues to wane

January 22, 2020

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seisomolgy (Phivolcs) on Wednesday said the alert level in Taal Volcano might be lowered as volcanic activity continue to wane. 

According to its bulletin, a weak emission of white steam-laden plumes 50 to 500 meters high was observed in the main crater within the past 24 hours. About 153 tonnes per day of sulfur dioxide emission was recorded. 

The Taal Volcano Network recorded a total of 481 small and low-frequency earthquakes.

The Philippine Seismic Network plotted 725 earthquake since January 12 whereas six earthquakes were felt from 5 am Monday to 6 am today.

''Such intense activities signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice below the volcano's edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity,'' the Phivolcs bulletin said. 

"Earthquakes have been significantly weaker compared to before. These earthquakes, as well as low frequency events, have slowly diminished. But that does not mean we should be complacent," explained Phivolcs Chief Science Research Specialist Maria Antonia Bornas. 

She said Alert Level Four might be lowered if there will be consistent weakness in Taal Volcano's activities. 

"We are evaluating the probabilities given the diminishing volcanic activities. If this continues, we will bring down the alert level," she emphasized. 

Bornas said it is not recommended for residents to return to affected areas due to impending risk of hazardous explosive eruption. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS