The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is urging the public to take precautions against possible volcanic smog (vog) after a sharp increase in sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from Taal Volcano.
According to PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol, Taal’s SO₂ emissions jumped from 450 tonnes on August 27 to 4,514 tonnes on August 30 — a tenfold increase attributed to the sudden release of volcanic gas due to pressure or fluid movement beneath the volcano.
Bacolcol clarified that this does not necessarily signal an imminent eruption but warned that vog, which can be harmful to health, may form.
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest). Due to continuous rainfall, new SO₂ measurements are currently unavailable as gases dissipate quickly when it rains.
Meanwhile, volcanic earthquakes have decreased, with only three recorded from Sept. 1 to Sept. 2, compared to 11 quakes logged on Aug. 30 and 31.
PHIVOLCS continues to strongly advise the public against entering Taal Volcano Island due to risks of sudden steam-driven or weak phreatomagmatic eruptions.