Ibinaba na sa Alert Level 2 (Decreased Unrest) ang Bulkang Taal mula sa dating Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest), ayon sa Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) noong Biyernes.
TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN 23 July 2021 07:30 PM This serves as a notice for the lowering of Taal Volcano’s status from…
Posted by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) on Friday, July 23, 2021
“Following the phreatomagmatic eruption of the Main Crater on 1 July 2021 and nineteen (19) weak phreatomagmatic bursts until 9 July 2021, there has been a cessation of eruptive activity at Taal Volcano,” pahayag ng PHIVOLCS.
“Unrest since then has been characterized by renewed seismic activity, generally declining volcanic gas emission, very slight ground deformation and positive microgravity anomalies,” dagdag pa nito.
Sinabi rin ng ahensya na kahit ibinaba na ito sa Alert Level 2 ay hindi nangangahulugan na nawala na ang banta ng pag-aalburoto nito.
“Should an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn a potential eruption, the Alert Level may be raised back to Alert Level 3. At such time, people residing within areas at high risk to base surges who have returned after the step-down to Alert Level 2 must therefore be prepared for a quick and organized evacuation,” pahayag ng ahensya.
Dagdag pa ng PHIVOLCS, “Conversely, should there be a persistent downtrend in monitored parameters after a sufficient observation period, the Alert Level will be further lowered to Alert Level 1.”
Pinapaalalahanan din nila ang publiko na sa Alert Level 2 ay maaaring magkaroon ng “steam-driven o phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall at expulsions of volcanic gas” sa Taal Volcano Island at baybayin nito.
Mariin pa rin na inirekomenda ng ahensya na mahigpit na pagbabawal sa pagpasok sa naturang isla na isang permanent danger zone.
“Local government units are advised to additionally assess previously evacuated areas within the seven-kilometer radius for damages and road accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures in case of renewed unrest,” sabi ng PHIVOLCS.
“Communities beside active river channels particularly where ash from the 2020 eruption has been thickly deposited should increase vigilance when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall since ash can be washed away and form lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels and low-lying areas. Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircrafts,” dagdag pa ng ahensya.
Thumbnail photo by John Matthew Flores on Unsplash