Looks like it’s time to postpone those weekend travel plans — the Taal Volcano is once again exhibiting unrest after it was observed to have emitted 13,572 tons of volcanic sulfur dioxide, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday.
Phivolcs confirmed that the Taal Volcano spewed a voluminous plume about 2.8 kilometers high in the past 24 hours. The seismic agency also recorded five volcanic tremors within that period that lasted between three to eight minutes.
Residents in nearby towns of Batangas have reported experiencing respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, chest pain, and cough after inhaling the volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emissions.
While this is the second time the Taal Volcano has exhibited any activity this year, it remains under Alert Level 1 for its abnormal condition, as any “pronounced change in monitored parameters” would have to be determined before raising it to Alert Level 2.
Under Alert Level 1, the volcano is observed to exhibit hydrothermal, magmatic, or tectonic disturbances, with prohibited entry into the permanent danger zone.
