Kris Alingod - AHN News Contributor
Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised the alert level for Taal Volcano, an active volcano that last erupted in 1977.
Alert level two is now in effect, and disaster management officials are preparing contingency plans for residents and tourists in Tagaytay, a city that lies on the rim of the volcano's outer crater.
Taal lies only 30 miles south of the capital of Manila. Its outer crater holds an 18-mile wide lake created long ago during a massive eruption. The lake contains an island, called Volcano Island, which also has a crater lake.
Hiking on Volcano Island and boat rides to the smaller crater lake are popular activities in Tagaytay, which is a weekend and day trip destination for many in Manila because of its mild climate and rustic cottages.
The volcano has erupted 34 times, most recently in 1977. It is one of a handful of active volcanoes called Decade Volcanoes that present significant hazards to populated areas.
Taal has been restive since 1991, but alert level one was raised last year when it began spewing bubbles and white steam.
On Tuesday, the Philippine volcano agency said it recorded 32 high frequency quakes from the volcano and stronger steam with hissing sounds from the main crater.
A level two alert means that magma is moving towards the surface, an activity that could lead to an eruption.
"The main crater remains off-limits because hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur, along with the possible build-up of toxic gases," the agency said in a statement. "Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone."
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