Taal Volcano calms down after series of seismic events

LUCENA CITY — Taal Volcano displayed a marked decline in seismic activity over the past 24 hours after days of heightened volcanic unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday, July 8.

In its morning bulletin, Phivolcs recorded only eight volcanic earthquakes during the monitoring period, with no volcanic tremors being detected, which was a sharp drop from the elevated seismic activity recorded in previous days. On July 4, the agency logged 61 volcanic earthquakes and 60 episodes of volcanic tremor, followed by 75 volcanic tremors the next day.

READ: Taal Volcano’s seismic unrest continues Seismic activity peaked on July 6 with 120 volcanic earthquakes and 113 volcanic tremors before easing to 27 earthquakes and 22 tremors on July 7. Before the recent increase in activity, Taal had remained relatively quiet. Phivolcs recorded four volcanic earthquakes on July 3, two on July 2, and 19 volcanic earthquakes along with five volcanic tremors on July 1. According to Phivolcs, volcanic earthquakes are generated by magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano, while volcanic tremors are continuous, low-frequency seismic vibrations that may indicate the movement of volcanic fluids. During the latest observation period, the agency measured a moderate sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission of 829 metric tons. The volcanic plume rose about 600 meters above the main crater before drifting. Phivolcs also reported no upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater on Taal Volcano Island, which sits at the center of Taal Lake. No volcanic smog, or “vog,” was observed. Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest.

Despite the decline in seismic activity, Phivolcs reminded the public that the volcano remains in an abnormal condition and that Alert Level 1 should not be interpreted as an indication that volcanic unrest has ended or that the possibility of an eruption has been eliminated. INQ

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