Batangas, Philippines – Taal Volcano continues to show signs of unrest as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a series of volcanic earthquakes and tremors on Saturday.
Over the past 24 hours, Phivolcs has detected at least seven volcanic earthquakes, accompanied by six volcanic tremors lasting between five to eight minutes. These tremors, characterized by continuous seismic signals with low frequencies, can indicate various processes within the volcano, including magma movement and gas release.
Phivolcs emphasizes the difference between volcanic earthquakes and tectonic earthquakes. While tectonic earthquakes are caused by faulting, volcanic earthquakes are directly linked to magmatic activity beneath or near the volcano. This makes them more varied in their characteristics.
This recent activity follows a trend of increased seismic activity at Taal over the past week. Phivolcs recorded:
- Thursday: 7 earthquakes and 6 tremors
- Wednesday: 4 tremors
- Tuesday: 11 earthquakes and 7 tremors
- Dec 20-23: 10 earthquakes and 18 tremors
Despite the increased seismic activity, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions remain relatively low. On Friday, Phivolcs observed a weak emission of 1,181 metric tons of SO2 from the main crater, rising only 300 meters high. There were no reports of upwelling hot volcanic fluids or volcanic smog (vog).
Although Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest), Phivolcs cautions that the volcano is still in an abnormal condition. This means that the threat of eruptive activity persists, and the public should remain vigilant.
Phivolcs continues to closely monitor Taal Volcano and will provide updates on any significant changes in activity. Residents and visitors are advised to stay informed and follow the recommendations of local authorities.
0 Comments