Taal Volcano now under Alert Level 2

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday raised the alert status of Taal Volcano from Level 1 to 2 as the active volcano has been exhibiting increased unrest since Feb. 13, 2021.

“This means that there is probable magmatic activity that may or may not lead to an eruption,” Phivolcs said.

The agency’s monitoring network recorded a total of 28 volcanic tremor episodes, four low frequency volcanic earthquakes, and one hybrid earthquake at shallow depths of less than 1.5 kilometers beneath the Taal Volcano Island (TVI) in the past 24 hours – from 8 a.m., March 8 to 8 a.m., March 9.

Phivolcs observed that volcanic tremors have increased seismic energy compared to previously recorded episodes and ranged between three to 17 minutes in duration.

It said the total number of volcanic tremor events has risen to 866 since the onset of increased activity on Feb. 13. Moreover, a total of 141 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes have occurred within one kilometer depths beneath TVI and immediate vicinities. (Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz)