Phivolcs lowers alert level at Taal Volcano

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) lowered yesterday the alert level at Taal Volcano in Batangas from 2 to 1 following a decrease in activity in the past 11 weeks.

“The observations suggest that Taal Volcano’s activity has declined. In view thereof, Phivolcs is now lowering the status of the volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1. This means that a large hazardous eruption is now less probable within the immediate future,” the agency said.

Phivolcs, however, maintained that the main crater remains strictly off-limits to the public because sudden steam explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate.

It said that the northern portion of the Main Crater rim, in the vicinity of Daang Kastila Trail, could also be hazardous when increased steam emission is reactivated along existing fissures.

Phivolcs also said the entire Volcano island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and permanent settlement in the island is discouraged.

Phivolcs raised Alert Level 2 at Taal in April but the number of volcanic earthquakes recorded daily gradually declined to low levels beginning first week of June 2011.