LUCENA CITY, Philippines — Taal Volcano has shown renewed signs of unrest as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded two minor phreatic eruptions and a significant spike in seismic events over the past 24 hours. As of Sunday morning, April 26, 2026, the volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level but abnormal activity.
The latest unrest marks the fifth minor eruption recorded at Taal this month, as state volcanologists continue to monitor the situation in Batangas.
According to the PHIVOLCS morning bulletin:
- Steam-Driven Eruptions: Two minor phreatic eruptions, locally known as “pusngat,” were logged between 1:57 a.m. and 2:07 a.m. on Sunday.
- Plume Height: The activity produced steam plumes rising approximately 150 to 200 meters above the main crater.
- Duration: These events lasted for about 10 minutes, as captured by the main crater’s thermal and IP cameras.
In addition to the eruptions, PHIVOLCS reported the highest single-day total of seismic activity this month:
- Total Events: 48 seismic events recorded in 24 hours.
- Breakdown: This includes 25 volcanic earthquakes and 23 volcanic tremors lasting between one and 29 minutes.
- Context: This is a sharp increase from the previous day, where only one volcanic earthquake was recorded on Saturday and six on Friday.
Alert Level 1 means the volcano is in an “abnormal condition.” While this does not necessarily mean a major eruption is imminent, PHIVOLCS emphasizes that the threat has not ceased.
- Phreatic Explosions: Sudden steam-driven or minor phreatomagmatic bursts.
- Volcanic Earthquakes: These suggest the movement of magma or hydrothermal fluids beneath the surface.
- Hazardous Gases: Continued emission of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), which can cause volcanic smog (vog).
- Ashfall: Localized and minor ashfall within the Volcano Island.
PHIVOLCS strictly reiterates the following prohibitions:
- Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ): Entry into Taal Volcano Island, specifically the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, remains strictly prohibited.
- Lakeside Activity: Staying or boating on Taal Lake near the island is highly discouraged.
- Aviation Safety: Pilots are advised to avoid flying any aircraft close to the volcano’s summit as sudden explosions can pose hazards to engines.
The public is encouraged to stay updated through official PHIVOLCS bulletins and coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices.