Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) – The Taal Volcano emitted a record-high level of sulfur dioxide on Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed.
The volcano in Batangas province spewed out 25,456 tons of sulfur dioxide, beating the previous record of 22,648 tons per day logged on July 4.
Phivolcs also noted a visibly moderate to strong degassing in the volcano’s main crater. It also released steam-laden plumes as high as 3,000 meters above the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).
“A sudden inflation of TVI was detected by GPS monitoring in August 2021, which may indicate renewed pressurization of the subsurface hydrothermal system due to continuous magmatic degassing,” state volcanologists said.
Taal Volcano remains at Alert Level 2 where steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, and ashfall can still occur in the vicinity of TVI.
The volcano has been at the same alert level since July 23, after it was raised to Alert Level 3 due to a phreatomagmatic eruption on July 1.
The state volcanology bureau also reminded the public that entry into the volcano’s permanent danger zone and fishing in Taal Lake are prohibited by law.
