Thirty-three volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Taal Volcano in Batangas on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Monday.
The volcano also had three minor eruptions on Sunday — one phreatic and two phreatomagmatic events lasting from 1 to 4 minutes long.
Phreatomagmatic eruptions are caused by the interaction of magma and water, according to PHIVOLCS. These eruptions normally consist of multiple explosive events and their interval may vary.
Meanwhile, a phreatic eruption is a “steam-driven explosion” that happens when magma heats the ground or surface water, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Some 436 tonnes of sulfur dioxide were also emitted on Sunday by the volcano, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin.
Voluminous plumes were seen rising up to 2,100 meters tall before these drifted southwest.
Alert Level 1 (Low-level unrest) remains in effect at Taal Volcano, PHIVOLCS said.
It reiterated that entry into Taal Volcano Island, which is a Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, should be prohibited.
Likewise, boating and occupancy of Taal Lake should not be allowed, it added.
Flying aircraft close to the volcano shoule also be prohibited, PHIVOLCS said.
Taal Volcano poses possible hazards such as steam-driven or phreaticc or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas, it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News
