LUCENA CITY: Seismic activity at Taal Volcano in Batangas province dropped sharply over the past 24 hours after a significant increase in volcanic earthquakes and tremors in the preceding days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Monday (Aug 17).
Phivolcs recorded seven volcanic earthquakes and two episodes of volcanic tremor, each lasting between three and 642 minutes, according to its morning bulletin.
The latest figures marked a significant decline from the previous monitoring periods, when Phivolcs recorded 74 volcanic earthquakes on Aug 14 and 64 on Aug. 15, accompanied by four tremors.
Despite the decline in seismic activity, Taal continued to emit sulfur dioxide (SO₂), with Phivolcs measuring 107 metric tons during the latest 24-hour monitoring period. The agency classified the emission as weak.
The SO₂ emission level was considerably lower than the 422 metric tonnes recorded daily from Aug 5 to 14.
No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the Main Crater Lake on Taal Volcano Island, locally known as “Pulo,” and no volcanic smog, or “vog,” was detected during the monitoring period.
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
