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Eruption of a cloud of steam and ash on the Philippine volcano Taal (last Thursday)
Photo: Uncredited / dpa
Taal volcano in the Philippines emitted unusually large amounts of volcanic gases a few days after an eruption.
Scientists warned on Sunday that it could break out again at any time.
The volcano, just 66 kilometers south of the capital Manila, hurled a dark cloud of volcanic gases and steam around a kilometer into the air on Thursday.
More than 3,000 people from surrounding villages then left their homes and went to safety.
Large parts of the surrounding area were covered with gray ash.
Since the emission on Thursday, the Taal has been emitting gases and steam several times - but on Sunday an all-time record was measured with 22,628 tons of sulfur dioxide, said the state seismological institute Phivolcs.
The gas emissions of the past few days were accompanied by, among other things, 26 volcanic quakes.
"These observations could indicate that an eruption similar to that of July 1, 2021 can occur at any time," says a management report from the authority.
The institute had already raised the warning level from level 2 to level 3 on Thursday.
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The Taal is the second most active volcano in the Southeast Asian island state after the Mayon.
It is located on the main island of Luzon.
The area is densely populated and also popular with international travelers.
The volcano last erupted in January 2020.
At that time, more than 370,000 people had to leave their homes.
The Philippines is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire - the geologically most active zone on earth.
him / dpa
