Taal Volcano sulfur dioxide emissions drop, but seismic unrest persists

LUCENA CITY — Sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano in Batangas have dropped sharply, but the volcano continues to show elevated seismic activity.

The record comes from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday, Aug. 16.

Phivolcs observed 107 metric tons (MT) of sulfur dioxide from Taal’s main crater over the past 24 hours, which it classified as a “weak” emission.

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This number is significantly lower than the daily average of 422 MT monitored from Aug. 5 to 14.

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Meanwhile, Phivolcs detected 67 volcanic earthquakes, down slightly from the 74 instances during the previous day.

The seismic activity was accompanied by one volcanic tremor episode lasting 10 minutes.

The latest figures remain below Taal’s highest recorded seismic activity in recent months.

On July 6, Phivolcs recorded 120 volcanic earthquakes and 113 volcanic tremors.

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Volcanic earthquakes are seismic events associated with active volcanoes and distinguished by their characteristic arrival patterns, durations and amplitudes.

Volcanic tremors, meanwhile, are continuous, low-frequency seismic vibrations.

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No upwelling of hot fluids was observed in Taal’s Main Crater Lake on Taal Volcano Island, locally known as “Pulo,” in the center of Taal Lake.

No volcanic smog, or vog, was also seen.

Taal remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.

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Phivolcs reminded the public that despite the decline in sulfur dioxide emissions, Taal remains in an abnormal state, and the possibility of an eruption cannot be ruled out. /apl