Phivolcs brings down Taal Volcano’s status to Alert Level 2

Hanzel Ramos

Aug 21, 20212 min read

Updated: Sep 22, 2021

TAAL EXPLOSION. Taal Volcano erupts again at the start of July and was placed on alert level 3 due to magmatic unrest and a spike in sulfur dioxide. On Friday, July. 23 PHIVOLCS lowered the alert level to 2 from "cessation of eruptive activity" in the area. ©Santos

After the Taal Volcano in Batangas was raised to Alert Level 3 due to a phreatomagmatic eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology lowered its status to Alert Level 2 on July 23.

According to PHIVOLCS, “there has been a cessation of eruptive activity at Taal Volcano” after its phreatomagmatic eruption on July 1 and its phreatomagmatic bursts recorded until July 9.

"Unrest since then has been characterized by renewed seismic activity, generally declining volcanic gas emission, very slight ground deformation, and positive microgravity anomalies," the agency added.

Risk of eruption still possible

However, Phivolcs emphasized to the public that the reduced status to Alert Level 2 should not be translated that the threat of an eruption has disappeared.

If there will be an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters that will forewarn a potential eruption, Phivolcs may raise the Alert back at Level 3.

Similarly, “should there be a persistent downtrend in monitored parameters after a sufficient observation period, the alert level will be further lowered to Alert Level 1.”

The July 1 phreatomagmatic eruption, an eruption with the interaction of magma and water, signaled the Phivolcs to raise the status to Alert Level 3.

According to Phivolcs, Alert Level 3 means intensified magmatic unrest, while Alert Level 2 signifies a decrease in unrest.