Alert level 2 raised on Taal Volcano — Phivolcs

State volcanologists on Tuesday morning hoisted Alert Level 2 on Taal Volcano in Batangas province after detecting "anomalous changes" in volcanic activity. In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology director Renato Solidum Jr. said "there are changes in the number of volcanic earthquakes detected." "This morning, we detected 32 volcanic earthquakes. The normal number is zero to five. The temperature of the [Taal Lake] has also increased," said Solidum.

See the complete table on the Phivolcs website.

However, Solidum clarified that the public should not panic because an eruption is not yet imminent. "There is only a magma intrusion in Alert Level 2. When we raise it to Level 3, an eruption is imminent within weeks; for Level 4, within days," he said. A separate advisory from Phivolcs reminded the public that the volcano's main crater is off limits "because hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur, along with the possible build-up of toxic gases." The whole volcano island is considered a permanent danger zone, while portions of the Daang Kastila trail are areas with hot grounds and steam emssions, Phivolcs said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV