Taal Volcano’s toxic gas emissions drop to lowest level this year

LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano in Batangas dropped sharply to their lowest level this year, although the volcano remains under Alert Level 1, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday.

In its latest volcano bulletin, Phivolcs said only 59 metric tons of sulfur dioxide were emitted from the Main Crater over the past 24 hours. The gas plume rose about 600 meters above Taal Volcano Island before drifting north-northeast, an emission level the agency classified as moderate.

The latest measurement marked a significant decline from the daily sulfur dioxide emissions of 542 metric tons recorded from July 10 to 14. It also surpassed the previous lowest daily average for the year of 78 metric tons, logged from Jan. 1 to 8.

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READ: Taal Volcano logs 3-minute phreatomagmatic eruption

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For comparison, the volcano’s highest sulfur dioxide emission this year reached 5,287 metric tons on June 4.

Volcanic activity also remained subdued during the monitoring period, with Phivolcs recording only one volcanic earthquake over the past 24 hours.

The highest level of seismic activity this month was observed on July 6, when the agency recorded 120 volcanic earthquakes and 113 volcanic tremors.

Phivolcs likewise reported no upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake and no volcanic smog (vog) during the monitoring period.

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Despite the decline in volcanic gas emissions and seismic activity, Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level volcanic unrest.

Phivolcs reminded the public that Alert Level 1 does not mean the volcano has returned to its normal state, stressing that Taal remains in an “abnormal condition” and that the possibility of eruptive activity has not been ruled out./coa

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