MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Volcanologists today warned of possible eruption at Taal volcano in the northern Philippines.
The conclusion was based on "noticeable" increase in seismic activity from Taal volcano. The seismic network recorded 20 volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours, said a bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). However, the Phivolcs has no plan to raise the alert level for now.
Likewise, the bulletin said, water temperature at the Main Crater Lake slightly increased from 29.8 degrees Celsius to 30.1 degrees Celsius.
The alert status of Taal volcano was raised from Level 1 to Level 2 on April 9 with the interpretation that magma has been intruding toward the surface, as manifested by CO2 being released in the Main Crater Lake and increase in seismic activity.
The Phivolcs advises the public that the Main Crater and surrounding areas are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentration of toxic gas may accumulate. Breathing air with high concentration of gas can be lethal to human, animals and even cause damage to vegetation.
