Zero volcanic earthquakes in Taal in the last 12 days

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) chief Teresito Bacolcol announced on Tuesday that Taal Volcano has not recorded any volcanic earthquakes for the past 12 days, which is considered an encouraging sign in terms of volcanic activity. This information was broadcast during the program Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, broadcast by PTV-4.

Bacolcol explained that the absence of these earthquakes since August 8 is a positive sign, since volcanic seismic movements are usually a sign that magma is ascending through the structure of the volcano. “The lack of volcanic earthquakes is a good sign because it indicates that there is no movement of magma towards the surface, which could trigger an eruption,” said Bacolcol.

Seismic activity at volcanoes, especially volcanic earthquakes, is one of the most crucial indicators that scientists monitor to predict possible eruptions. “When magma rises and approaches the summit, this could mean that an eruption is imminent,” the Phivolcs director added in a statement to the Philippine News Agency.

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Despite this positive sign, Taal Volcano’s activity remains under close surveillance. Although the volcano’s degassing temporarily stopped on Tuesday around 11 a.m., Bacolcol warned that the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) has continued steadily since 2020. This phenomenon is typical of active volcanoes and is considered a normal part of their behavior.

SO2 emission is one of the key parameters Phivolcs monitors to assess the possibility of an eruption. This gas, which emanates from rising magma, can lead to the formation of volcanic smog or “vog,” a toxic fog that affects air quality in surrounding areas. Several municipalities in Batangas province, including Laurel, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Talisay, Balete, Lemery, Cuenca, Malvar, Lipa City, Taal, Lian and Nasugbu, reported the presence of vog on Tuesday.

The lack of volcanic earthquakes is a good sign because it indicates that there is no movement of magma towards the surface.

Bacolcol reiterated that even if there are no immediate signs of an eruption, it is vital that the population does not let down its guard. “The public should not be complacent even when there is no threat of eruption,” it stressed, underlining the importance of staying informed and prepared for any changes in volcanic activity.

Taal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, remains under close observation, and authorities continue to work to ensure the safety of nearby communities as monitoring of its activity continues.