Taal Volcano – Photo from PNA
Taal Volcano in Batangas province recorded no volcanic earthquakes or tremors over the past three days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported Wednesday morning.
Phivolcs said this was the fifth instance this month that the volcano registered zero seismic activity.
Similar quiet periods were recorded on Dec. 10 and Dec. 13, according to the state volcanologist.
From Dec. 1 to 17, Taal logged a total of 67 volcanic earthquakes and 11 tremor episodes, Phivolcs data showed.
In November, the volcano recorded higher activity with 514 volcanic earthquakes and 98 tremors.
On Nov. 22 alone, Taal registered 128 volcanic earthquakes in a single day, Phivolcs said.
Phivolcs explained that volcanic earthquakes are caused by magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano.
Volcanic tremors, on the other hand, are continuous low-frequency seismic vibrations with regular or irregular wave patterns, it added.
In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs reported a “weak” sulfur dioxide emission of 150 metric tons that rose to 500 meters above the main crater.
Despite the decline in seismic activity, Phivolcs said Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating a low level of volcanic unrest.
