Taal Volcano logs 46 volcanic earthquakes, up from 14

LUCENA CITY — Taal Volcano in Batangas province recorded a sharp increase in volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours, with 46 seismic events monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the agency reported on Friday, Aug. 21.

The volcano also generated two volcanic tremor episodes lasting between two and 245 minutes, Phivolcs said in its morning bulletin.

The latest figure was more than three times the 14 volcanic earthquakes recorded during the previous monitoring period.

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READ: Renewed unrest at Taal Volcano as quakes surge, SO₂ emissions rise

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From Aug. 16 to 19, Taal recorded only single-digit tallies of volcanic seismic events each day.

Phivolcs explained that volcanic earthquakes are generated by processes occurring within an active volcano and are identified through distinct seismic patterns, amplitudes and wave periods.

Volcanic tremors, meanwhile, are continuous, low-frequency seismic signals that may exhibit either regular or irregular waveforms.

The volcano also emitted 271 metric tons of sulfur dioxide on Thursday, up from the 107 metric tons recorded daily from Aug. 16 to 19. Phivolcs classified the latest sulfur dioxide emission as “weak.”

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No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the main crater lake of Taal Volcano Island which is located in the middle of Taal Lake.

Phivolcs also reported no observation of volcanic smog, or “vog,” during the latest monitoring period.

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Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, or low-level volcanic unrest.

Phivolcs reminded the public that the volcano remains in an “abnormal condition,” stressing that the current alert status should not be interpreted as a cessation of unrest or an end to the threat of eruptive activity.INQ /mr