(File Photo) Taal Volcano 
WEATHER AND SCIENCES

Phivolcs logs 20 volcanic quakes at Taal Volcano

Gabriela Baron

A total of 20 volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Taal Volcano over a 24-hour period, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

State volcanologists also logged 14 volcanic tremors, lasting from one to 125 minutes.

On Friday night, 9 January, Taal Volcano experienced its first phreatomagmatic eruption this month. The event lasted about four minutes and produced a plume that rose approximately 900 meters above the crater.

Last month, three minor phreatomagmatic eruptions were reported at the volcano, while two similar events were recorded in November.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into Taal Volcano Island—particularly the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures—is strictly prohibited. Boating on Taal Lake and flying any aircraft close to the volcano are also not allowed.

Possible hazards include steam-driven or phreatic explosions, gas-driven eruptions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and potentially lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.