Taal Volcano Seismic Activity Eases, Alert Level 1 Remains

LUCENA CITY — Seismic activity at Taal Volcano eased significantly over the past 24 hours after a sharp increase in volcanic earthquakes and tremors the previous day, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Tuesday. In its morning bulletin, Phivolcs recorded 27 volcanic earthquakes and 22 episodes of volcanic tremor, each lasting one to three minutes. The figures marked a sharp decline from Monday’s monitoring period, when the agency logged 120 volcanic earthquakes and 113 volcanic tremors. READ: Taal Volcano activity increases with 120 quakes, 113 tremors Seismic activity had been building over the weekend, with 61 volcanic earthquakes and 60 volcanic tremors recorded on Saturday, followed by 75 volcanic tremors on Sunday. The recent surge contrasted with the relatively quiet activity throughout June, when Phivolcs recorded just 53 volcanic earthquakes and 13 volcanic tremors for the entire month, including eight days with no detected seismic activity. Volcanic earthquakes are caused by the movement of magma or other volcanic processes beneath a volcano. In contrast, volcanic tremors are continuous, low-frequency seismic vibrations that may indicate the movement of volcanic fluids. Despite the decline in seismic activity, Phivolcs reported a moderate sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission of 829 metric tons on Tuesday. The volcanic plume rose 1,200 meters above the main crater before drifting west-southwest. No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the Main Crater Lake on Volcano Island, and no volcanic smog, or “vog,” was detected during the monitoring period. Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest. Phivolcs reminded the public that Alert Level 1 does not mean the volcano has returned to its normal state or that the possibility of a hazardous eruption has been eliminated./coa