Taal Volcano sulfur dioxide emissions rise amid continued seismic unrest

LUCENA CITY — Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from Taal Volcano in Batangas province increased over the past 24 hours amid continued seismic unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Friday (Aug. 28).

Taal released 381 metric tons of sulfur dioxide, although the emission level remained classified as “weak.” The figure was higher than the volcano’s average daily SO₂ emission of 271 metric tons recorded from Aug. 20 to 27, according to Phivolcs’ morning bulletin. 

The volcano also remained seismically active during the monitoring period.

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Phivolcs detected 18 volcanic earthquakes, accompanied by a volcanic tremor that lasted for 504 minutes.

On Aug. 27, state volcanologists recorded 32 volcanic earthquakes and one tremor. The previous day, the agency logged 17 earthquakes and one tremor.

From Aug. 20 to 25, Taal recorded a total of 162 volcanic earthquakes and nine episodes of volcanic tremor.

Phivolcs defines volcanic earthquakes as those “generated by magmatic processes or magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano.”

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“Unlike tectonic earthquakes that are produced by faulting, volcanic earthquakes are directly produced by many processes and are, therefore, much more varied in characteristics,” the agency explained.

Volcanic tremors, meanwhile, are continuous seismic signals with regular or irregular oscillations and low frequencies, typically ranging from 0.5 to 5 hertz, that can last for more than a minute.

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Phivolcs also reported no upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater lake on Volcano Island, which is located at the center of Taal Lake.

No volcanic smog, or “vog,” was also observed during the monitoring period.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating a low level of volcanic unrest. 

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Phivolcs reminded the public that the volcano remains in an “abnormal condition” and that this should not be interpreted as an indication that the unrest or threat of eruptive activity has ceased. INQ /mr