29 quakes shake Taal

A total of 29 volcanic earthquakes were recorded and weak plume activity had been observed in Taal Volcano for the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Friday.

The number of volcanic quakes was slightly higher than the 25 recorded the previous day.

Volcanic earthquakes are caused by movements or eruptions of magma from the volcano.

Weak plume emissions of 50 to 100 meters tall had been observed for the fourth consecutive day. A weaker eruption is based on the height of the plume coming out of the crater.

A volcanic plume is a column of hot volcanic ash and gas emitted into the atmosphere during an explosive volcanic eruption.

Taal Volcano is still under Alert Level 2 (decreased unrest).

PHIVOLCS earlier announced it would lower the volcano’s alert status to Level 1 (low-level unrest) should there be a continuous downtrend in the monitored parameters after a sufficient observation period.

PHIVOLCS executive director Renato Solidum Jr. said the standard operating procedure was two weeks of continuous downtrend to trigger a lowering of the alert level.

Meanwhile, PHIVOLCS reiterated that entry into Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, was strictly prohibited.

Local government units are advised to additionally assess previously evacuated areas within the seven-kilometer radius for damage and road accessibility and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest.

People are advised to observe precaution due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall, and minor earthquakes.

A fissure is a linear volcanic vent through which lava erupts. The magma intrusion from below causes the fissures to form, Solidum said.