Philvocs raised alert level 2 at Taal Volcano

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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert level at Taal Volcano in Batangas from 1 to 2 after detecting “anomalous changes” in volcanic activity in the past two months.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the alert level was raised due to the following reasons: increasing number and size of volcanic quakes, increasing temperature and above normal values of chemistry in crater lake water, increase in ground probe holes and total magnetic field and inflation of volcano.

However, Solidum said the public should not panic because an eruption is not yet imminent.

He said that there is only a magma intrusion at Alert Level 2. “When we raise it to Level 3, an eruption is imminent within weeks; for Level 4, within days,” he said in an interview.

Phivolcs reminded the public that the volcano’s main crater is off limits “because hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur, along with the possible build-up of toxic gases.”

The whole volcano island is considered a permanent danger zone, while portions of the Daang Kastila trail are areas with hot grounds and steam emissions, Phivolcs said. Phivolcs said there were 33 eruptions recorded at Taal volcano. Its last eruption was recorded on Oct. 3, 1977.
written by: Helen Flores

This is a repost from http://www.philstar.com