The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Monday clarified that the recent strong earthquakes felt in different parts of the country are not connected to ongoing volcanic activity.
According to PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol, there is no direct relationship between tectonic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions or heightened seismic movement.
“Strong tectonic earthquakes have no direct effect on volcanic eruption and increased seismic activity,” Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency.
He explained that volcanic eruptions occur only when sufficient pressure builds up inside a volcano’s magma chamber, strong enough to trigger an explosion.
On Monday, PHIVOLCS reported a minor phreatic eruption at Taal Volcano’s summit around 11:42 a.m., which produced plumes rising about 900 meters high.
Taal remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.
Bacolcol noted that small phreatic eruptions are typical for Taal Volcano, saying it experiences such minor activity almost every month.
Meanwhile, PHIVOLCS also reported increased seismic activity at Bulusan Volcano over the weekend, recording 72 volcano-tectonic earthquakes since midnight of October 11.
“The recent earthquakes are from active faults and trenches while the earthquakes from Bulusan Volcano are due to magma pushing through,” Bacolcol said.
He added that the volcanic tremors at Bulusan have been gradually decreasing.
“For the past 24 hours, we recorded 25 volcanic earthquakes, which is lower than the 55 volcanic earthquakes we recorded the previous day,” he said.
PHIVOLCS continues to monitor both Taal and Bulusan Volcanoes closely, reminding residents near the area to remain alert but calm as no escalation in activity is currently expected.