8 quakes detected at Taal

MANILA, Philippines - A total of eight volcanic earthquakes were detected at Taal volcano in Batangas in the past 24 hours, indicating the volcano’s continued unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said one of the temblors occurred at around 1:47 p.m. “with rumbling sounds” and was felt at Intensity 2 by residents in Barangay Calauit at the southeastern part of the volcano.

Phivolcs also reported that water temperature in the main crater lake slightly increased from 30 to 30.5 degrees Celsius.

It added that gas measurements conducted in the main crater lake last January, February and March yielded carbon dioxide emission values of 2,250 tons per day (t/d), 1,875 t/d and 4,670 t/d, respectively.

“This large increase in (carbon dioxide) concentration indicates gas release from the magma at depth,” Phivolcs said.

It said the volcano’s edifice is slightly inflated compared to the ground deformation survey result last February.

Phivolcs said alert level 2 remains in effect at Taal, meaning that “magma has been intruding toward the surface.”

Phivolcs said the Daang Kastila trail and Mt. Tabaro are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate.