Taal Volcano in Batangas recorded a significant increase in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday.
Taal emitted 526 metric tons of sulfur dioxide on September 1, up from the 381 metric tons recorded daily since Aug. 27, according to Phivolcs’ morning bulletin. Despite the increase, the emission level remained classified as ‘weak.’
The agency did not detect any upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake and no volcanic smog, or ‘vog,’ during the monitoring period.
Taal also recorded eight volcanic earthquakes but no volcanic tremors during the observation period.
Phivolcs said Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating a low level of volcanic unrest.
The agency reminded the public, however, that the volcano remains in an ‘abnormal condition.’ It stressed that Alert Level 1 ‘should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.’