Taal Volcano in Batangas province continues to show heightened activity, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and seismic events both on the rise, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Friday, Nov. 28.
In its 24-hour monitoring period, Phivolcs recorded 208 metric tons of SO2 emitted on Thursday.
Although still classified as a ‘weak emission,’ the gas plume rose about 600 meters above Taal Volcano Island (TVI) – the crater landmass locally known as Pulo within Taal Lake – before drifting away.
This figure marks a sharp increase from the consistent 72 metric tons recorded daily since Nov. 18.
The latest bulletin also logged 40 volcanic earthquakes along with 15 episodes of volcanic tremors.
From Nov. 1 to 28, Taal has recorded 458 volcanic earthquakes and 72 tremor episodes.
The figures surpassed October’s 367 quakes and 69 tremors, and were well above September’s tally of 189 quakes and 129 tremors.
Phivolcs explained that volcanic earthquakes result from magmatic or magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano.
Tremors, meanwhile, are low-frequency seismic vibrations (0.5-5 Hz) caused by resonating magma within cracks and vents, clusters of low-frequency quakes, or small internal explosions.
Taal also produced minor phreatomagmatic eruptions at its main crater on Nov. 12 and 23.
Despite the uptick in SO2 emissions, continued seismic activity, and recent phreatomagmatic events, the volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.
Phivolcs reiterated that entry into Taal Volcano Island – the Permanent Danger Zone – particularly the main crater and the Daang Kastila trail, remains strictly prohibited.
The Civil Aviation Authority likewise cautioned pilots to avoid flying near the volcano due to the possibility of sudden ash emissions that could endanger aircraft