Taal Volcano continued to release high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes as it remains under Alert Level 3 after spewing boiling water and magma last week, state volcanologists said Sunday.
Phivolcs said SO2 gas emissions from Taal averaged 14,699 tons per day on Saturday, while plumes rose as high as 2,500 meters drifting south-southwest.
A total of 31 low frequency volcanic earthquakes and low-level background tremors were also recorded over the past 24 hours, it added. Volcanic fog or vog was also observed over Taal Volcano and its vicinity.
Phivolcs on Thursday raised the alert over Taal Volcano to Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest, as it advised residents in nearby areas to evacuate.
Evacuation started the same day. About 345 families, or 1,392 individuals, have been displaced from at least 13 barangays in Taal, San Nicolas, Laurel, Agoncillo, Tanauan, and Balete, said Mark Timbal, spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
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