MANILA, Sept. 12 -- Taal Volcano's seismic energy release is still elevated, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday.

The RSAM (real-time seismic amplitude measurement) of Taal Volcano has not returned to background level since high seismic energy release was reported last month, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency.

A minor phreatic eruption occurred at the summit crater of Taal Volcano at 4:33 p.m. on Thursday, generating white plumes that reached 300 meters above the crater.

The eruption, which was a result of water coming into contact with hot volcanic materials such as hot volcanic gases or hot rocks, lasted for two minutes.

"We need to monitor vo...