Taal Volcano's Sulfur Dioxide Emissions Double in 24 Hours, Alert Level 1 Remains

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from Taal Volcano in Batangas province have significantly increased over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Friday (July 10). In its morning bulletin, Phivolcs said Taal emitted 542 metric tons of sulfur dioxide and generated weak plumes rising as high as 600 meters before drifting eastward. The recorded SO₂ emission was more than double the 250 metric tons measured the previous day. However, it remained significantly lower than the average daily emission of 829 metric tons recorded from July 2 to July 7. Phivolcs also reported no upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake on Volcano Island, located at the center of Taal Lake. No volcanic smog, or “vog,” was observed during the monitoring period. The volcano likewise remained relatively quiet seismically, with only four volcanic earthquakes recorded over the past 24 hours. Volcanic activity at Taal had peaked on July 6, when Phivolcs recorded 120 volcanic earthquakes and 113 volcanic tremor events. Seismic activity steadily declined to 27 earthquakes and 22 tremors on July 7, eight volcanic earthquakes on July 8, one earthquake on July 9, and four earthquakes in the latest observation period. Despite the generally low level of activity, Phivolcs reminded the public that Taal Volcano remains in an abnormal condition under Alert Level 1. The agency stressed that Alert Level 1 should not be interpreted as an indication that volcanic unrest has ended or that the possibility of future eruptive activity has been eliminated.