As of 8:00 a.m. of January 28, 2020, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) posted a Taal Volcano Bulletin.
According to DOST-PHIVOLCS, the activity in the Taal Volcano’s main crater in the past 24 hours has been characterized by “weak to voluminous emission” of white to dirty white steam-laden plumes 100 – 800 meters high and dispersed southwest of its main crater.
Based on the reports from the Philippine Seismic Network, they have recorded a total of 755 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal region since 1:00 p.m. of January 12. One hundred seventy-six (176) of these volcanic earthquakes were registered at magnitudes M1.2 to M4.1 and were felt at Intensity I to Intensity V.
Since 5:00 a.m. on January 27, 2020 until 5:00 a.m. on January 28, 2020, the Philippine Seismic Network recorded 3 volcanic earthquakes that were registered at magnitudes M1.5-M2.2 with no felt event. The intense seismic activity may signify continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, in which this may lead to further eruptive activity.
In addition, the Taal Volcano Network recorded 92 volcanic earthquakes for the past 24 hours, which includes 4 low-frequency earthquakes. According to PHIVOLCS, the Taal Volcano Network can record small earthquakes that were undetectable by the Philippine Seismic Network.
The alert Level 3 still continued in effect over Taal Volcano, which means, according to DOST-PHIVOLCS, sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions may still occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island as well as its nearby lakeshores.
Furthermore, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology strongly recommended that residents cannot enter inside the Taal Volcano Island as well as areas over Taal Lake and communities west of the island within a 7-km radius from its main crater.
The DOST-PHIVOLCS will continually monitor the eruption.
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