Yesterday, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or (Phivolcs) warned residents’ living near the Taal Volcano to be ready and observant for it is getting restive and there is a possibility to erupt anytime.
From alert level 1 it was raised by Phivolcs to alert Level 2 after the increase in volcanic earthquakes Carbon Dioxide has been recorded and its continuous emission of steam. The Level 2 is described by Phivolcs as an “alarming” status and indicates rise of magma to the surface, which could eventually lead to an eruption.
In the latest bulletin of Phivolcs issued yesterday, they said that the current status of the Taal Volcano is alarming for there is a tendency that it will erupt anytime.
A warning table has been released by Phivolcs to serve as a guide to people living around the site: for alert level 5 the highest alert level, it means that an eruption is in progress. Alert Level 4 means an eruption is imminent, and could take place in a few days. Under Alert Level 3, eruption is possible within days or weeks if unrest continues.
People are now being restricted by the Phivolcs authorities to go near the crater of Taal especially the Daang Kastila Trail and Mt. Tabaro which is the site for the eruption of island volcano last 1965.
According to phivolcs, the unsteady status of volcano such as the emitting of hazardous steam coming from its crater driven by explosions inside could fill the air and cause danger to all living things around it. .
For human and animals, it is dangerous to breath in an air that has a high concentration of gases and it can even cause damage to vegetation.
Taal Volcano, known to be as the world’s smallest active volcano is a popular tourist destination, with visitors trooping to gaze the area.
As of now, a total of 21 seismic earthquakes had been recorded by phivolcs and two of the earthquakes were in intensity 2 to 3 with accompanied by rumbling sounds.
In the last week of March, 4670 tons of carbon Dioxide is emitted by the Taal main Crater Lake.