If the situation improves further, Taal Volcano might be lowered to Alert Level 2 (growing unrest) over the next two weeks, according to a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) official.
PHIVOLCS Chief Renato Solidum Jr. told the public during the weekly “Talk to the People” that the agency is constantly monitoring the volcano’s status and is prepared for any scenarios that may arise as a result of its disturbance.
“Ano pong inaasahan natin sa kasalukuyan? Pwede pong sustained lang sa Alert Level 3 o kung tuloy-tuloy na humupa starting today, walang explosions, pwede tayo mag baba ng Alert Level 2 within the next two weeks,” he said.
(What are our expectations as of the moment? Alert Level 3 can be sustained or if it continues to subside, if there are no explosions starting today, we can downgrade it to Alert Level 2 within the next two weeks.)
Solidum further stated that PHIVOLCS is prepared in the event that Taal is placed on Alert Level 4 (Hazardous Eruption Imminent).
In the past 24-hour period, the Taal Volcano Network recorded four (4) volcanic tremor events having durations of two (2) to five (5) minutes and low-level background tremor has persisted since March 29, 2022.
Taal Volcano may be downgraded to Alert Level 2 in next two weeks
Activity at the Main Crater was dominated by upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes 1,500 meters tall that drifted southwest. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 4,474 tonnes/day on 29 March 2022.
Temperature highs of 63.7°C were last measured from the Main Crater Lake on 25 February 2022. Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island and the Taal region has begun deflating in October 2021.
The Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest) prevails over Taal Volcano. This means that there is a magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions.
DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas Province be evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.
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