This is a notice of very weak phreatomagmatic bursts at the Main Crater of Taal Volcano.

The Taal Volcano Network recorded eight (8) very weak phreatomagmatic bursts from the Taal Main Crater today between 3:50 PM to 09:57 PM. These events were very short-lived, lasting only 10 seconds to two minutes and produced only traces in the seismic record but were accompanied by distinct infrasound signals. Steam-rich plumes 400 m to 900 m tall were also detected by visual and thermal cameras around Taal Lake. Sulfur dioxide flux since the beginning of 2022 has averaged 10,668 tonnes/day, with the highest average emission at 18,705 tonnes/day on 27 January 2022. In contrast, almost no volcanic earthquake activity has been recorded since 19 December 2021 and Taal Volcano Island has been deflating since October 2021 based on continuous GPS monitoring.

The public is reminded that Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) prevails over Taal Volcano and that such gas-driven explosions and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around TVI. DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, as well as human activities on Taal Lake, be strictly prohibited. Local government officials are advised to continuously assess and strengthen the preparedness of previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake in case of renewed unrest. 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.