Alert Level 1 Maintained over Taal Volcano

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s (PHIVOLCS) Taal Volcano 8:00 AM Bulletin today, December 2, 2020 (Wednesday), five volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Taal Volcano in the past 24-hour period.

On the Taal Volcano Bulletin yesterday, December 1, 2020, the Taal Volcano Network did not detect any volcanic earthquake in the past 24-hour period, and Alert Level 1 is maintained over the volcano.

Based on the bulletin today, emission of steam-laden plumes from the fumarolic activity at the vents of the Main Crater and degassing activity at the vents of the Daang Kastila Trail were weak to moderate.

“Ground deformation parameters based on continuous GPS monitoring from 29 March 2020 to present indicated slow and slight inflation of the northwestern sector of Taal Caldera, which was also recorded by electronic tilt on northwest Volcano Island starting the second week of July 2020. In contrast, GPS data from the southwestern sector of Taal Caldera and Volcano Island yielded no significant change after the huge post-eruption subsidence, ” the agency added.

Taal Volcano on Alert Level 1

On the PHIVOLCS bulletin today, Alert Level 1 (Abnormal) is maintained over Taal Volcano. And, as the said volcano is on Alert Level 1, DOST-PHIVOLCS is reminding the general public with the following:

• Sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).
• The agency strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited.
• Local government units are advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency, and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.
• People are also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, possible ashfall, and minor earthquakes.
• Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft.

Other Philippine Volcanoes Update

Here are the latest updates on the other Philippine Volcanoes:

Bulusan Volcano (October 26, 2020)

• PHIVOLCS-DOST lowered the alert status of Bulusan from Alert Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 0 (normal) following a general decline in monitoring parameters.
• The alert status of Bulusan Volcano may step up once again to Alert Level 1 in the event of a renewed increase in any one or combination of the following monitoring parameters.

• • Volcanic Earthquake Activity
  • Ground Deformation
  • Gas Emission
  • Visual Observation of the Summit

Mayon Volcano (December 02, 2020)

• The monitoring network of Mayon Volcano has recorded eight rockfall events during the 24-hour observation period.
• Mayon Volcano is at Alert Level 1 or at an Abnormal Condition.

Kanlaon Volcano (December 02, 2020)

• Ten volcanic earthquakes during the 24-hour observation period were recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano’s monitoring network.
• Kanlaon Volcano is at Alert Level 1 (Abnormal Condition) and has entered a period of unrest.

Source: DOST-PHIVOLCS