Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has not detected volcanic earthquakes in Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, it noted on Monday.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the activities of the restive volcano is weaker in the past 24 hours compared to the other day. However, it remains under Alert Level 3, meaning, there is still “intensified magmatic unrest” as Phivolcs warned of sudden explosive eruptions and ashfall that may occur.
Over 1,060 families or 3,850 individuals in the vicinity have evacuated since the volcano was elevated to Alert Level 3 on March 26 following a phreatomagmatic eruption.
Solidum clarified that the escalation from Alert Level 3 to 4 is unlikely for now.
“Raising it from 3 to 4, we don’t see it now. The chances of raising it to 4 would be dependent on the parameters the volcano would show which would indicate that magma is rising; and possible that magma below is rising towards the surface and if that is the case, then the gases within the magma will not be able to escape so the eruptions can be more explosive,” he explained to CNN Philippines.
He noted that Phivolcs will keep monitoring the activities of the volcano for two weeks to determine if it will stay under Alert Level 3 or if it will be raised or lowered.
Authorities are continuously carrying out preventive evacuation, and prohibiting entry into the Taal Volcano Island or holding of activities surrounding Taal Lake.
CNN Philippines correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report
