Taal volcano records 10-hour tremor as magmatic activity continues, Philippines
A 10-hour and 30-minute volcanic tremor was recorded at Taal volcano in the Philippines on Saturday, October 12, 2024, as sulfur dioxide emissions reached 1 256 tonnes. The volcano remains under Alert Level 1.
Satellite image of Taal volcano on October 8, 2024. Credit: Copernicus EU/Sentinel-2, The Watchers
A volcanic tremor lasting 10 hours and 30 minutes was observed at Taal volcano on Saturday, indicating sustained magmatic or hydrothermal activity beneath the surface. Such prolonged tremors are often associated with the movement of magma, volcanic gases, or fluids, which can cause increased pressure within the volcano’s system.
This could lead to further unrest, such as ash emissions, phreatic explosions, or even a potential eruption.
The volcano’s Alert Level remains at 1, as of early October 13.
Approximately 1 256 tonnes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) was released on Saturday, with the plume rising to a height of about 900 m (2 953 feet), drifting southwest and west-southwest. The emissions were classified as moderate. Upwelling of volcanic fluids was also observed in the main crater lake.
On October 9, approximately 2 256 tonnes of SO2 emissions were recorded, with the plume rising to around 3 000 m (9 843 feet) and classified as voluminous. One small phreatic eruption lasting for two minutes, along with two volcanic tremors of two minutes each, were also observed.
In terms of ground deformation, long-term deflation has been observed at the Taal Caldera, while short-term inflation has occurred at the northern and southeastern flanks of Taal Volcano Island.
Taal Volcano Island has been designated a permanent danger zone and entry to the island is prohibited, along with flying aircraft near the volcano. The main crater areas, Daang Kastila, and Taal Lake are particularly dangerous.
Possible hazards on the island include steam-driven or phreatic and gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.
PHIVOLCS has recorded over 40 phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions since September 22. However, since last week, the frequency of eruptions has decreased compared to previous events.
On October 5, six minor phreatic eruptions lasting between one and three minutes were recorded, along with one minor phreatomagmatic eruption that lasted four minutes. Nine volcanic earthquakes and two volcanic tremors, each lasting six minutes, were also observed.
Since October 6, at least one eruption has occurred at the volcano almost every day, with the most recent being on Friday, October 11, when a phreatic eruption lasting two minutes was recorded along with a volcanic earthquake.
1 TAAL VOLCANO Summary of 24Hr Observation – PHIVOLCS – October 13, 2024
2 TAAL VOLCANO Summary of 24Hr Observation – PHIVOLCS – October 10, 2024
3 TAAL VOLCANO Summary of 24Hr Observation – PHIVOLCS – October 6, 2024
4 TAAL VOLCANO Summary of 24Hr Observation – PHIVOLCS – October 12, 2024
5 Taal Volcano shaken by 10-hour tremor – Philstar – October 13, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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