Increased degassing logged at Taal

MANILA, Philippines — State volcanologists have monitored an increased sulfur dioxide degassing from Taal Volcano after recording at least 14,211 tons per day of volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emission, the second highest flux recorded so far this year.

“Taal has averaged approximately 10,000 tons per day since January and has been continuously degassing voluminous concentrations of sulfur dioxide since 2021,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday.

The provincial government of Batangas reported that sulfur stench was noted in the villages of Bilibinwang and Banyaga in the town of Agoncillo.

Phivolcs reminded the public that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means its condition is still abnormal.

Entry into Taal Volcano Island, especially in the vicinities of the main crater and along Daang Kastila fissure is strictly prohibited.

“Local government units were advised to continuously monitor and assess the exposure to and potential impacts of volcanic sulfur on their communities,” Phivolcs said.