Taal Volcano seismic activity surges with 74 earthquakes in 24 hours
LUCENA CITY — Taal Volcano in Batangas province showed renewed unrest after a sharp increase in volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported Saturday, Aug. 15.
Phivolcs recorded 74 volcanic earthquakes, a significant jump from the 15 events detected the previous day, according to its morning bulletin.
The earthquakes were accompanied by three volcanic tremor episodes lasting between 12 and 17 minutes.
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READ: Taal Volcano logs 15 earthquakes after weeklong lull
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The latest monitoring showed a notable increase in seismic activity compared with the previous days.
Taal recorded only two volcanic earthquakes and one tremor each on Aug. 7 and 8, followed by three earthquakes and two tremors on Aug. 9.
The volcano recorded one tremor episode each on Aug. 10 and 11, while no seismic events were detected on Aug. 12 and 13.
The latest activity, however, remained below Taal’s highest recorded seismic activity in recent months. On July 6, Phivolcs detected 120 volcanic earthquakes and 113 volcanic tremor episodes.
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Phivolcs explained that volcanic earthquakes are generated by magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano, while volcanic tremors are continuous, low-frequency seismic signals that may persist for more than a minute.
The agency also reported a “weak emission” of 422 metric tons of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from Taal’s main crater, with monitoring data showing the same emission level daily since Aug. 5.
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No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids or volcanic smog, known as “vog,” was observed during the latest monitoring period, Phivolcs said.
Phivolcs maintained Alert Level 1 over Taal, indicating low-level unrest and warning that the volcano remains in an abnormal state.
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The agency cautioned that sudden steam-driven or minor phreatomagmatic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and the accumulation or expulsion of volcanic gases remain possible, posing hazards to areas within Taal Volcano Island. /das
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