Taal Volcano Emits Sulfur Dioxide As Magma Continues To Move Upwards

The latest updates provided by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) indicated increased activity in the country’s Taal Volcano. Due to the volcano’s current status, the agency warned that a powerful eruption could still occur.

PHIVOLCS recently released a news bulletin on Monday morning in the Philippines regarding the status of the Taal Volcano in the country’s Batangas province. As indicated in the bulletin, the agency has detected an increase in the volcano’s activities.

According to PHIVOLCS, the Taal Volcano has been emitting large plumes of steam in the past couple of days. Earlier today, the plumes reached an average height of 800 meters before drifting away. In addition to the steam, the agency also recorded sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano.

PHIVOLCS noted that since Feb. 1, the volcano has been producing about 97 tons of sulfur dioxide per day. As indicated in a report by the Manila Bulletin, the increased presence of sulfur dioxide indicate that magma is still moving under the volcano and could already be making its way to the surface.

“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,” the agency stated.

Aside from sulfur dioxide, another indicator of magmatic activity is the seismic movement in the region. According to PHIVOLCS, it has detected 134 volcanic earthquakes in 24 hours in various areas surrounding the volcano. Many of the earthquakes ranged from intensity 2 to 4.

The agency explained that these earthquakes could lead to a major eruption in the volcano’s main crater.

“These earthquakes signify magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the Main Crater,” PHIVOLCS stated.

The current status of the Taal Volcano is still at Alert Level 3, which has been downgraded from 4 after volcanic activity subsided. However, PHIVOLCS noted that it will continue to monitor the volcano to look for signs of an impending eruption. If Taal’s volcanic activity increases, the agency will raise its Alert Level to 4 once again, which means an eruption could occur within the next few hours or days.