Volcanic earthquakes and tremors continue to shake Taal Volcano in Batangas province, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Monday morning.
In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs reported that the volcano registered 15 volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours, accompanied by 11 episodes of volcanic tremor, each lasting one to four minutes.
On Sunday, the agency recorded 9 volcanic quakes and 6 tremors. The day before, Taal exhibited 11 quakes and 4 tremors.
From Oct. 1 to 31, a total of 367 volcanic earthquakes and 69 tremor episodes were documented-showing a notable rise from September’s 189 quakes and 129 tremors.
Phivolcs explained that volcanic earthquakes are ‘generated by magmatic or magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano.’ Tremors, meanwhile, are ‘continuous seismic signals with regular or irregular waveforms and low frequencies (0.5-5 Hz).’
According to the agency, these tremors may be triggered by magma resonance as it moves through cracks and vents, closely spaced low-frequency quakes, or small explosions within the volcano.
Phivolcs also reported that Taal emitted 318 metric tons of sulfur dioxide and produced 600-meter-high plumes, classifying the activity as a ‘weak emission.’
No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the Main Crater Lake, and no volcanic smog or ‘vog’ was detected during the monitoring period.
Phivolcs maintained Taal’s Alert Level 1 status, indicating that the volcano remains in an ‘abnormal condition’ and that the threat of eruptive activity persists.
‘At Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or minor phreatomagmatic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal gas emissions may occur and pose danger to areas within Taal Volcano Island,’ the agency warned