MANILA (AFP)--Tourists were ordered off an island volcano near the Philippine capital Tuesday after seismologists detected ground shaking that they said could presage a minor eruption.
"Significant volcanic and seismic events have been detected over the past months" and the main crater of Taal "remains off limits to the public because steam explosions may suddenly occur or high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate," an official advisory said.
The tiny crater island is surrounded by a lake that formed from a past eruption. Scores of visitors cross the lake by boat every day before making a short day hike to the 311 meter high crater lip.
Taal is one of the country's 22 active volcanoes with 33 known eruptions in recorded history.
Two weeks ago seismologists raised the second of a multi-stage volcano alert over Mount Mayon on the southern tip of the main island of Luzon following increased seismic activity.
