Activity in the Main Crater in the past 24 hours has been characterized by moderate to voluminous emission of dirty-white to white steam-laden plumes rising 800 meters high before drifting southwest. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission was measured at an average of 97 tonnes/day on February 1, 2020.

Taal Volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded one hundred thirty-four (134) volcanic earthquakes during the 24-hour observation period including one (1) low-frequency event. Two of these events at 4:20am and 5:42am registered respectively at magnitude M3.2 and M2.3, the first having been felt at Intensity IV in Laurel and Agoncillo, Intensity III in Lemery, Batangas and Intensity II in Tagaytay City. These earthquakes signify magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the Main Crater.

Alert Level 3 is maintained over Taal Volcano. DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island and nearby lakeshores. DOST-PHIVOLCS recommends that entry into the Taal Volcano Island as well as into areas over Taal Lake and communities west of the island within a seven (7) km radius from the Main Crater must be strictly prohibited. Local government units are advised to assess areas outside the seven-kilometer radius for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest. People are also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ashfall and minor earthquakes. Communities beside active river channels particularly where ash from the main eruption phase has been thickly deposited should increase vigilance when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall since the ash can be washed away and form lahars along the channels. Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders.

DOST-PHIVOLCS