By ALEXANDRIA SAN JUAN
Despite weaker activities observed on Taal Volcano’s surface, volcanic tremors continued to be felt in the area, signifying a movement of magma underneath that could lead to a hazardous explosive eruption.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said steady steam emissions and infrequent weak explosions were observed in the main crater of Taal in the past 24 hours.
These activities, Phivolcs added, generated 50- to 600-meter tall white to dirty white ash plumes that dispersed ash southwest of the main crater.
However, State volcanologists warned that Alert Level 4 remains over Taal, which means hazardous eruption is still possible within hours or days.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. said intense activity is happening underneath the volcano as volcanic earthquakes continued to rattle the area, which means that a significant volume of magma is moving up.
“Nandiyan pa rin ‘yung intense activity na may magma na umaakyat at posibleng magdulot ng mapanganib na pagsabog. Naiiba yung nakikita natin sa taas at ang nangyayari sa ilalim,” Solidum said.
According to Solidum, 32 volcanic earthquakes were plotted by the Philippine Seismic Network near the volcano from Friday morning to yesterday morning, with magnitudes from 1.5 to 3.3.
Six-hundred sixty-six volcanic tremors have been recorded since the volcano erupted on Jan. 12. One-hundred seventy-four were registered at magnitudes 1.2 to 4.1 and were felt at Intensities 1 to 5.
The Taal Volcano Network, which can detect low-frequency tremors, has recorded 876 volcanic earthquakes within the Taal Volcano Island, including six tremor events and 20 low-frequency earthquakes.
Solidum said that such intense seismic activity likely signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to explosive eruption.
“Ang pagbitak ng lupa at paglindol ay related sa pag-akyat ng magma papunta sa mababaw na parte ng Taal Volcano edifice,” he said. “Maraming lindol at patuloy pa rin ang pagkakaroon ng lindol at ang iba dito ay nagpapahiwatag na kumikilos ang magma so nandiyan pa rin ang activity.”
Solidum said they are continuously monitoring Taal to check if there is a downward trend in its activity, but the Phivolcs chief noted that threat of a hazardous eruption still remains.
