Phivolcs reports degassing at Taal; no indication of eruption

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday reported elevated sulfur dioxide degassing at Taal Volcano in Batangas, recording a total of 11,072 tons per day of SO2 emission from the main crater.

- BELLA CARIASO, Gilbert Bayoran, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rudy Santos

Phivolcs noted that Taal Volcano's average SO2 gas emission was at 8,294 tons/day for the year and has been continuously degassing voluminous concentrations of SO2 since 2021.

Hazy conditions were reported over Alitagtag, Tingloy, San Nicolas, Laurel, Taysan, Lobo and Batangas City and the same was observed during a field survey in Agoncillo, Lemery, Taal, Santa Teresita, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Lipa, Balete and Malvar.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said there is no indication that Taal Volcano will erupt anew despite increased degassing, adding that only one volcanic earthquake was recorded in the last 24 hours.

"There is no fear of a possible eruption. In fact, we only recorded one earthquake yesterday. The degassing caused vog as based on the forecast of PAGASA, there will be a weakening of wind at two meters per second. As a result, the sulfur dioxide will not easily disperse, causing the vog," Bacolcol stated.

He noted that between June 3 and June 5, no earthquake was recorded.