3 bursts, 48 volcanic quakes
Source: Phivolcs Facebook Page
In past 24 hours, Taal records
CNN Philippines — Taal Volcano in Batangas recorded three short bursts and a number of volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, according to seismology data, as the mid-range alert level remains in the area.
Aside from the phreatomagmatic bursts caused by interaction of water and magma at the crater, Phivolcs also recorded high levels of sulfur dioxide emissions, a substance that is harmful to humans. The government seismology agency, in its 8 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, said it recorded three short bursts and 48 volcanic earthquakes.
The first eruption on Thursday after more than a year of hiatus in volcanic activity prompted officials to evacuate people living in high-risk lakeshore areas in the towns of Laurel and Agoncillo. Over 1,000 people were evacuated as of Friday, officials said. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. Guillermo Eleazar said Saturday he ordered the setting up of police assistance desks in all evacuation centers in Batangas to keep evacuees safe.
The current alert level three of Taal Volcano means “if the trend is one of increasing unrest, [a] hazardous eruption is possible within days to weeks,” the institute said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has a five-level alert system for volcanic activity, with level five as the highest and means a hazardous eruption is in progress.
