PHIVOLCS reported ongoing unrest at Taal during 8-14 May. Sulfur dioxide emissions decreased during the previous week, with emissions averaged 2,191 tonnes per day (t/d) on 6 May. Minor phreatic events were recorded during 0827-0831 on 8 May in seismic and infrasound data. The events produced white steam plumes that rose 2 km above Main Crater and drifted SW based on webcam images. Sulfur dioxide emissions increased slightly on 9 May to 2,346 (t/d). A series of phreatic events were visible in webcam images during 0703-0709, 0717-0718, 0752-0754, 0757-0800, and a fifth that ended at 1029 on 10 May. Steam plumes rose 100-300 m and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5), and PHIVOLCS reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island was a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and to take extra precautions around Main Crater, when boating on Taal Lake, and along the Daang Kastila fissure.

Geological Summary. Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has produced some powerful eruptions. The 15 x 20 km Talisay (Taal) caldera is largely filled by Lake Taal, whose 267 km2 surface lies only 3 m above sea level. The maximum depth of the lake is 160 m, with several submerged eruptive centers. The 5-km-wide Volcano Island in north-central Lake Taal is the location of all observed eruptions. The island is composed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones. Powerful pyroclastic flows and surges have caused many fatalities.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)