12 quakes recorded at Taal in last 24 hours

Activity at restive Taal Volcano in Batangas continued to intensify on Thursday, with state volcanologists recording at least 12 volcanic quakes there in the last 24 hours. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said residents felt at least two of these 12 earthquakes. "The first event occurred at 4:32 a.m. and was felt at Intensity II by residents in Barangay Calauit at the southeastern part of Taal Volcano Island with an audible rumbling sound. The second event occurred a few minutes later at 4:49 a.m., but felt only at Intensity I with faint rumbling sound in the same area," it said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

Phivolcs also noted water temperature at the Main Crater Lake remained at 30.5 degrees Celsius. Phivolcs said Alert Level 2 remains over Taal Volcano with the interpretation that magma has been intruding towards the surface. The public was reminded that the following areas are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate:

the Main Crater;

Daang Kastila Trail, and

Mt. Tabaro. "Breathing air with high concentration of gases can be lethal to human, animals and even cause damage to vegetation. In addition, it is reminded that entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended," it said. As this developed, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 23 families (or 98 people) voluntarily who evacuated earlier have returned home. Two quakes at Bulusan Meanwhile, at least two volcanic quakes were recorded at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon in the last 24 hours. Alert Level 1 remains over Bulusan, with entry to the 4-kilometer (km) Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) still strictly prohibited because the area is at risk to sudden steam and ash explosions. "Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are reminded to take precautions against ashfalls. Civil aviation authorities must also warn pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may be hazardous to aircraft," Phivolcs said. Quake at mayon Phivolcs said one volcanic earthquake was recorded at Mayon Volcano in Albay during the past 24 hours. A crater glow was observed at Intensity II Wednesday night. Alert Level 1 remains over Mayon Volcano, where Phivolcs urged the public not to enter the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the continuing threat from sudden small explosions and rockfalls from the upper and middle slopes of the volcano. Phivolcs said active stream/river channels and those perennially identified as lahar-prone areas in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions. – VVP, GMA News