The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that a Taal Volcano eruption similar to its phreatomagmatic eruption last Thursday, July 1, “may occur anytime soon.”

This is after Taal’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission soared to an average of 22,628 tons per day on Sunday, July 4, a new all-time high.

The previous record was 14,699 tons per day on Saturday, July 3.

Phivolcs has also recorded 26 “strong and very shallow low-frequency volcanic earthquakes” since 12 am on Sunday, it announced in an advisory in the afternoon.

These volcanic earthquakes are “associated with magmatic degassing” and were “recorded beneath the eastern sector” of Taal Volcano Island.

“Some of these earthquakes were reportedly accompanied by rumbling and weakly felt by fish cage caretakers off the northeastern shorelines” of the island, added Phivolcs.

Taal Volcano was placed under Alert Level 3 following Thursday’s phreatomagmatic eruption. This alert level means there is magmatic unrest.

Phivolcs stressed that Taal Volcano Island, Taal Lake, the barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga in Agoncillo town, and the barangays of Buso-buso, Gulod, and Bugaan East in Laurel town must remain off-limits to all.

If a strong eruption occurs, there could be pyroclastic density currents, which are clouds of hot gas, ash, and other volcanic debris. A volcanic tsunami is also possible since Taal Volcano is situated within Taal Lake. – Rappler.com