Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 3

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 as sulfur dioxide emission continues to be below instrumental detection.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 116 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, including 2 low-frequency events.

Low-frequency quakes are caused by cracks resonating as magma and gases move toward the surface, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The Taal Volcano Network can record small earthquakes undetectable by the Philippine Seismic Network, which covers the whole country.

Taal Volcano did not emit traceable amounts of sulfur dioxide for the second day in a row, according to Phivolcs.

Emission of sulfur dioxide indicates the upward movement of magma towards the surface of the volcano, according to Phivolcs.

The Philippine Seismic Network (PSN) plotted seven volcanic earthquakes with no felt event from 5 a.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday.

This brings to 763 the total number of volcanic earthquakes that were plotted by the PSN since Taal Volcano awakened on January 12.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 despite fewer volcanic earthquakes being recorded and sulfur dioxide emission below instrumental detection.

Alert Level 3 means sudden steam-driven and weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions may still occur in areas within Taal Volcano Island and nearby lake shores.

The Taal Volcano Network, which can record small earthquakes, recorded two low-frequency earthquakes and one harmonic tremor that lasted for 97 seconds.

These earthquakes signify magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the main crater, Phivolcs said in its bulletin on Thursday.

PHIVOLCS on Wednesday morning maintained Alert Level 3 over Taal Volcano which continued to release steam-laden plumes.

Its sulfur dioxide emission-an indicator of movement of magma towards the surface-was measured at 64 tonnes per day, according to PHIVOLCS' 8 a.m. bulletin.