THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Saturday morning raised the alert status of Taal Volcano from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest.
The new alert level, issued at 8 am as part of its Taal Volcano Bulletin, warns of a “magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may drive succeeding eruptions.”
Phivolcs said that the volcano’s main crater generated a short-lived phreatomagmatic burst, followed by nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity that generated plumes reaching 1,500-meters high accompanied by volcanic earthquake and infrasound signals.|
The state agency further recommends that inhabitants near the vicinity of Taal Volcano Island, including those from high-risk barangays, be evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.
Phivolcs likewise reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone, and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays are prohibited.
Communities around the Taal Lake shores are advised by Philvolcs to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify.
Civil aviation authorities are likewise advised to warn pilots to avoid flying over Taal Volcano Island as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft.
Phivolcs will continue its close monitoring of Taal Volcano, which last erupted in January 2020.