Philippines Volcanoes

Mount Apo

Mount Apo is the highest mountain in the country and overlooks Davao City, a few kilometres to the northeast. Its name means "master" or "grandfather". Apo is flat topped, with three peaks, and is capped by a 500 m wide volcanic crater containing a small crater lake. It is a source of geothermal energy, but the date of its most recent eruption is unknown, and none are verified in historic times.

Mt. Apo is a popular hiking destination in the Philippines. Several trails lead to the summit, coming from North Cotabato and Davao provinces. An average hike requires 2-4 four days. Various sights include Lake Venado, one of the highest lakes in the Philippines, and the old crater of Mt. Apo near its summit. In the classification system used by local popular mountaineering website PinoyMountaineer.com, the difficulty of the hike is 7 out of 9. The mountain may be climbed year-round.

Last volcanic activity: Potentially active, fumarolic, thermal springs

Thermal activity: Apo Spring, Sibuland Spring, Pogpog Spring, Kulan Spring, Mabollo Spring, Garok Spring, Marawer Spring (43-59°C)

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Babuyan Claro

Babuyan Claro is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano with an elevation of 843 meters and a base diameter of 920 meters.

It has one hot spring called Askedna Hot Spring which is located at the southern basal slope of Babuyan Claro. It has a temperature range of 44.6 to 50.2°C. The water in Askedna hot spring is slightly acidic and the silica content is relatively high since the spring flows directly from lava flow deposits. The spring water can be classified as near-neutral sodium-chloride brine.

Babuyan Claro has four morphologically-fresh volcanic edifices: Mt. Cayonan in the south, Mt. Naydi and Mt. Dionisio in the southeast and Mt. Pangasun, a stratovolcano which has two very well-preserved craters 300 and 400 m in diameter.

Last volcanic activity: February 2004

Babuyan Claro has erupted four times: in 1831, 1860, 1913 and 1917. All eruptions were either strombolian or phreatomagmatic.
In July 1993, there were reports of earthquakes and an alleged drying up of vegetation at the upper slopes and summit area of the volcano but volcanologists said the earthquakes were of tectonic origins and there was no significant change in the volcanic activity.
In February 2004, there were reports of grayish steam clouds hovering above the summit but volcanologists from Phivolcs said the seismic swarm was of tectonic origin and the steaming activity was only wispy to weak.

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Banahaw

Mount Banahaw (Banáhao) is considered to be sacred by the local residents because of its "holy water"and "puwesto"s, or holy sites. These are composed of natural features with shrines located in or on them, revealed to a man by the "Santo Boses" or Holy Voice. It has another of this mountain and it was named as Mount Banahaw de Lucban.
The term Banahaw is not known to many people but it is actually describing a holy being!This mountain has rock with footprint of unknown being and supposedly, this was the basis of the origin of the name of the mountain.Banahaw is very close to the modern tagalog words Banal Thaw which literally mean a holy being!The way it was written in baybayin tagalog finally produced the word banahaw.

Mt. Banahaw is a traditional pilgrimage site for locals, being considered a 'holy mountain'. It is also popular among mountain climbers being the closest r mountain to Manila higher than 2000m. Hiking activity peaks during Holy Week of each year, with climbers numbering thousands. At least four trails exist, from Dolores, Sariaya, and other towns in Quezon. The most frequently trails are the Cristalino and the Tatlong Tangke, taking an average of 9 and 5 hours, respectively. These two trails originate from Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, and meet near the summit of Banahaw. At the summit, which is actually a rim encircling the caldera, viewpoints are numbered as 'Durungawan I,II, and III'. These viewpoints are the usual destination for pilgrims and hikers. Other points of interest include the 'Kweba ng Diyos Ama' (Cave of God the Father) and the spring at Brgy. Kinabuhayan, said to have curative powers.

Due to incessant climbing activity, the mountain trails have become littered with trash. In March 2004, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered a 5-year suspension of hiking activity in the mountains, covering the Dolores and Sariaya trails. It is scheduled for reopening on April 5, 2009.

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Biliran

The volcanic island of Biliran, located across the narrow Biliran Strait from the northern tip of Leyte Island, contains many prominent andesitic lava domes, the highest of which is 1301 m Surio. Several Pleistocene K-Ar dates have been obtained from volcanic centers on northern Biliran Island. Fumarole fields are scattered throughout the 20 x 35 km wide island. The only known historical activity at Biliran was a phreatic explosive eruption and possible debris avalanche at a thermal area in 1939.

Last volcanic activity: 1939 and 1954 ?

Local earthquakes accompanied by rumbling sounds were reportedly felt at places near the volcano.  Furthermore, thick steam clouds rising from the volcano and drying up of vegetation at the upper slopes were reportedly observed by boat passengers and fishermen.
An investigation was conducted by then Commission on Volcanology (now PHIVOLCS) on November 12, 1954. Data gathered, however, by the investigating team showed that no unusual volcanic activity took place. 

The volcano and the island are identic. The central Biliran-Libtong Thermal Areas have 12 hot springs and one bubbling pool. There are 3 other thermal active areas: North Biliran-Panamao Thermal Area, Anas Thermal Area, South Biliran-Kalambis Thermal Area

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Bud Dajo

There is nearly none to nothing known about this volcano. Bud Dajo is located 8.05 aerial klm southeast of Jolo, on the island of Jolo. Short-term monitoring (seismic and visuals) surveys were conducted in 1993 and in 1997. No unusual activities were observed within the vicinity of the volcano.

Numerous pyroclastic cones and craters dot 60-km-wide Jolo Island at the SW end of the Philippines archipelago. Jolo lies in the Sulu archipelago, about 150 km SW of the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula on SW Mindanao Island. The isolated location of Jolo and political unrest have inhibited geological studies of the volcanic island. Youthful-looking Tumatangus volcano forms the 811 m high point of the island. Bud Dajo (or Buddajo) is a young basaltic cinder cone that reaches 620 m elevation; nearby cones are Matanding, Guimba, and Sungal. Hot springs have been reported at craters on Cagayan Sulu, and solfataras at Siit Lake. A tsunami accompanied a possible submarine eruption in 1897. A reported eruption in 1641 actually reflected ashfall from the eruption of Parker volcano on Mindanao.

Last volcanic activity: 1641 and 1897

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Bulusan

Luzon's southernmost volcano, Bulusan, was constructed along the rim of the 11-km-diameter dacitic-to-rhyolitic Irosin caldera, which was formed about 35,000-40,000 years ago. Bulusan lies at the SE end of the Bicol volcanic arc occupying the peninsula of the same name that forms the elongated SE tip of Luzon. A broad, flat moat is located below the topographically prominent SW rim of Irosin caldera; the NE rim is buried by the andesitic Bulusan complex. Bulusan is flanked by several other large intracaldera lava domes and cones, including the prominent Mount Jormajan lava dome on the SW flank and Sharp Peak to the NE. Bulusan has four craters and four hot springs. Crater No. 1, called Blackbird Lake, is 20 m in diameter and 15 m deep. The oval Crater No. 2 is 60 m by 30 m and 15 m deep. Crater No. 3 is about 90 m in diameter and 20 m deep and Crater No. 4, which is near the northeastern, rim opened during the 1981 eruption. There is also a 100-meter fissure measuring 5 to 8 m wide below Crater No. 4.. Many moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at Bulusan since the mid-19th century.

Last volcanic activity: on Alert Level 0 (normal) since 04/27/2012

Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon had shown increased activity since November 17, 2010. Bulusan Volcano has returned to normalcy following a general decline of monitoring parameters after its last phreatic (steam-driven) eruption on May 13, 2011.  .

In view of the overall decline in all parameters, PHIVOLCS has now lowered the alert status of Bulusan Volcano from Alert level 1 to Alert level 0. This means that no eruption is foreseen in the immediate future. However, the public is reminded to avoid entry into the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the perennial threat of sudden phreatic eruptions and rockfalls on the upper slopes. Furthermore, people living in valleys and along active river channels are cautioned to remain vigilant against sediment-laden streamflows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Bulusan is monitored by Bulusan Volcano Observatory, Cabid-an, Sorsogon City

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Cagua

Mount Cagua, a 1133-m-high stratovolcano, lies at the NE tip of Luzon. The circular summit crater is 1.5 km in diameter, with steep, 60-m-high walls. Basaltic-andesite and basaltic lava effusion characterized the initial stage of volcanism during the early Pleistocene. From about 600,000 to 300,000 years ago thick pyroclastic flows covered the entire volcano. Recent periods of phreatomagmatic activity have produced ash flows. The forested volcano is locally known as the "Mountain of Fire." A phreatic explosion in 1860 may have been accompanied by a pyroclastic flow. Strong solfataric activity occurred in 1907, and thermal areas are located near the summit crater and on the NW to NNE flanks.

Mount Cagua has six hot springs. Maasok near the crater; Marafil in the northwest; Manaring, five kilometers north-northeast; San Jose, 10 kilometers north-northeast; Kabinlangan, three kilometers northwest and Paminta, two kilometers north-northwest.

Last volcanic activity: 1860 

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Camiguin de Babuyanes

Camiguin de Babuyanes is an active stratovolcano on Calayan Island part of the Babuyan Islands group, in Calayan municipality, in the province of Cagayan.
Well forested, Camiguin de Babuyanes has an elevation of 712 metres, and a base diameter of 3,200 metres. Mount Camiguin occupies the SW tip of 22-km-long Calayan Island. Fumaroles are found on the southwest, west, and east flanks of the volcano. A boiling spring is located near sea level on the western flank of the volcano.

Last volcanic activity: 1857

An eruption was recorded around 1857. It was reported as phreatic and possibly partly submarine.
In 1991, there were reports of volcanic activity but instrumental investigations showed no sign of unusual volcanic activity, such as intense fumarolic activity, felt earthquakes, fissuring at the volcano’s slopes, or smell of sulfur.

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Didicas

Didicas volcano, 22 km NE of Camiguin Island, was a submarine volcano prior to 1952, when a permanent island was formed. Didicas now consists of a small, 244-m-high andesitic lava dome about 1.4 km in longest exposed dimension. A 400-m-wide crater was formed during the 1952 eruption. The first recorded submarine eruption of Didicas was in 1773. The first recorded subaerial cone reached a height of 213 m in 1860, after a four-year-long eruption, but soon was eroded beneath the sea. Three rock masses up to 82 m high were left after an eruption in 1900. Two eruptions have occurred since 1952 at an explosion crater on the northern side of the island.

Last volcanic activity: 6 to 8 January 1978, explosive, phreatic

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Hibok-Hibok

Oblate, 20-km-long Camiguin Island just off the coast of north-central Mindanao Island consists of four overlapping stratovolcanoes overlying older buried edifices. Mt. Mambajao forms the high point of Camiguin Island at 1552 m. It has a youthful morphology with summit and flank lava domes, one of which partially fills a crater breached to the NW, but has not had historical eruptions. The eroded stratovolcanoes of Mt. Butay and Mt. Ginsiliban form the SE tip of the island and lie at one end of the NNW-SSE trending line of vents cutting across the island. The Binone cinder cone lies along the SE coast. The youngest volcano, and the only historically active one, is Hibok-Hibok (also known as Catarman). It lies at the NW end of the island, about 6 km NW of Mt. Mambajao. This andesitic-to-rhyolitic volcano contains several lava domes, including Mt. Vulcan on its NW flank. Major eruptions during 1871-75 and 1948-53 formed flank lava domes at Hibok-Hibok and produced pyroclastic flows that devastated coastal villages.

Last volcanic activity: September 31, 1948 to July 1953

See also our pages dedicated to Camiguin Island, the Ardent Hotsprings, the Bura Soda Pool and the Sunken Cemetery.
A special pages shows you the PHIVOLCS Camiguin Observatory.

From 1948 to 1951, Mt. Hibok-Hibok constantly rumbled and smoked. Its minor eruption in 1948 caused little damage and loss of life. In 1949, its eruption caused 79 deaths due to landslides. In the morning of 4 December 1951, the volcano erupted again. This, time, however, it unleashed boiling lava, poisonous gases, and landslides enough to destroy nearly 19 squares kilometers of land particularly in Mambajao. All in all, over 3,000 people were killed. Before the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok in 1951, the population of Camiguin had reach 69,000. After the eruption, the population was reduced to about 34,000 due to massive out-migration

Hibok-Hibok had a Peléan eruption in August 1948, with a series of earth tremors. There were also landslides and earthquakes followed by dome building and nuee ardente in September 1953. Eruption sites during the 1948-1952 eruptions were Kanangkaan Crater (1948), Itum Crater (1949) and Ilihan Crater (1950).

Volcanologists observed an eruption pattern observed during the 1948-1952 eruptions (a cycle of four phases) beginning with a short period of emission of steam from the crater and avalanches of volcanic materials, followed by explosions or steam blast with emission of heavy clouds of steam, ash and other fragmentary volcanic materials with a strong possibility of the development of nuee ardente. The third phase involves eruption of incandescent meterials, emission of ash and steam in large amounts, formation of flows and occasional minor crateral outbursts and finally a decrease in steam and other ejecta from the crater.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok is a popular hiking destination in Camiguin island. A permit from the DENR office in Mambajao is required. It normally takes 3-5 hours to reach the summit; the usual jump-off is Ardent Hot Springs in Mambajao. Views from the summit include the nearby White Island; Bohol (N); Eastern Mindanao (E); and Siquijor (W). The mossy crater of Camiguin's past eruption can also be seen.

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Iriga

Mount Iriga is a small stratovolcano that rises to 1196 m immediately SW of Lake Buhi. The dominantly andesitic stratovolcano has satellitic cinder cones of basaltic composition. A large breached crater that opens to the SE was formed as a result of a major debris avalanche that buried several villages and formed a broad hummocky deposit that extends across the plain south of Lake Buhi. This catastrophic event was at one time considered to have occurred during 1628 AD, but later work has shown that the collapse and eruption occurred earlier at some unknown date during the Holocene. The avalanche was followed by phreatic explosions that created a small crater at the base of the scarp.

Last volcanic activity: 1628 and 1642

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Kanlaon

Kanlaon volcano (also spelled Canlaon or Canla-on), the most active of the central Philippines, forms the highest point on the island of Negros. The massive 2435-m-high andesitic stratovolcano is dotted with fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones and craters, many of which are filled by lakes. The largest debris avalanche known in the Philippines traveled 33 km to the SW from Kanlaon. The summit of Kanlaon contains a 2-km-wide, elongated northern caldera with a crater lake and a smaller, but higher, historically active vent, Lugud crater, to the south. Historical eruptions from Kanlaon, recorded since 1866, have typically consisted of phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate size that produce minor ashfalls near the volcano.

The volcano has three hot springs on its slopes: Mambucal Hot Springs on the northwest, Bucalan Hot Spring, Bungol Hot Spring. Its adjacent volcanic edifices are Mt. Silay and Mt. Mandalagan, north of Kanlaon.

Last volcanic activity: 03 June  - 25 July 2006

The most active volcano in central Philippines, Kanlaon has erupted 25 times since 1886. Eruptions are typically phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate size that produce minor ashfalls near the volcano

On August 10, 1996, Kanlaon erupted without warning, killing British student Julian Green and Filipinos Noel Tragico and Neil Perez, who were among 24 mountain climbers who were trapped near the summit. The authorities rescued the 17 others, including 10 Belgians, another Briton and six Filipinos. The 17 were identified as Belgians Frederick Carraso, Philipp Couche, Caroline La Grange, Sophie La Benne, Darmien Gaitan, David Ryckaert, Florence De Corte, Jean Francois Ossengeld, Caroline Verlinde and Delthme Ferrant, Briton Gordon Cole and Filipinos Pepito Ibrado, Wovi Villanueva and Albert Devarras.

One of the Belgians, Caroline Verlinde, said she and her group were about to leave a site near the crater rim when the eruption began. "Suddenly it ejected ash and stones. I ran to a tree for cover and saw my friends being hit by falling stones," she told journalists. She said their Filipino guide told them the smoke billowing out from the crater "was just ordinary."

On June 3, 2006, Kanlaon again started restiveness and spewed steam and ash. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued Alert Level 1 (mild restiveness) on June 12, 2006.

On 10 February 2008 Phivolcs issued an alert saying the "seismic network at Kanlaon Volcano recorded a total of 21 low frequency volcanic earthquakes (LFVQ) during the past 24 hours. Due to the increasing number of recorded volcanic earthquakes, PHIVOLCS raises Kanlaon Volcano’s alert status from Alert Level 0 to Alert Level 1 which means that the volcano is at slightly elevated unrest and volcanic activity could lead to steam and ash ejections."

A 4 kilometre Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is maintained around the volcano, because sudden explosions may occur without warning. Phivolcs continuously monitors volcanic activity at Kanlaon.

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Leonard Kniaseff

An andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano complex in the Leonard Range is truncated by a 4 x 5 km caldera partially filled by Lake Leonard. The volcano (also known as Leonard Kniazeff) is located east of the head of Davao Gulf in SE Mindanao, east of the major N-S-trending Philippine Fault. Activity at the Leonard Range dates back to 1.1 million years. A dome building stage began about 290,000 years ago, producing a series of lava domes in the region surrounding Lake Leonard. A younger stage involved the eruption of the Paloc pyroclastic deposits from the late-Pleistocene to Holocene and the formation of the caldera. Holocene radiocarbon dates ranging from about 6000 to 1800 years ago were obtained from the Paloc pyroclastic deposits. The Leonard Range (or North Davao) area has been the object of a geothermal exploration program. The Manat thermal area is located north of Lake Leonard, solfataras occur its SW rim, and active solfataras, fumaroles, and hot springs are found in the Amacan-Gopod thermal area south of the lake.

Last volcanic activity: 120 AD ± 100 years, now active solfataras, fumaroles, and hot springs

The Leonard Kniaseff (North Davao) area has been the object of a geothermal exploration program. Manat thermal area is located north of Lake Leonard, solfataras occur around its SW rim, and active solfataras, fumaroles, and hot springs are found in the Amacan-Gopod thermal area south of the lake. There was a scare in 1995 but Phivolcs investigation at the time did not disclose any unusual activity, and no unusual activity has been reported since.

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Makaturing and Ragang

Makaturing volcano rises above the shore of Illana Bay at the west end of a chain of volcanoes in central Mindanao. Eruptions at one time attributed to Makaturing were ascribed to neighboring Ragang volcano to the east by the Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World (Neumann van Padang, 1953), but PHIVOLCS (2004) listed eruptions for Makaturing, several of which are in the same year as those from Ragang volcano. A dense cover of vegetation that blankets Makaturing suggests long quiescence, but solfataric activity continues.

Ragang volcano rises to 2815 m at the NE end of a series of young volcanic cones SE of Lake Lanao in central Mindanao. A 3-km-long lava flow extends to the SE from the deep summit crater. Ragang is the most frequently active volcano on the large southern Philippines island of Mindanao and is one of several dominantly basaltic volcanoes west of the cordillera in central Mindanao. Historical eruptions, many of which were at one time attributed to neighboring Makaturing volcano, have been recorded since 1765 and consist of moderate explosive activity from the summit crater.

Last volcanic activity: March 18, 1882

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Matutum

The symmetrical Matutum stratovolcano rises to 2286 m in southern Mindanao, NW of Sarangani Bay. The summit of the andesitic-to-dacitic volcano is truncated by a well-preserved 320-m-wide crater that is breached by three gorges and has a 120-m-deep, densely forested floor. Widespread silicic pyroclastic-flow deposits surround the volcano, which overlooks the major city of General Santos. The youngest pyroclastic deposits were dated at about 2000 yrs BP. A report stated that Matutum volcano was "smoking" on March 7, 1911 (Neumann van Padang, 1953). The Akmoan and Lianan thermal areas are located on the WSW flank of the volcano.

Last volcanic activity: March 7, 1911

Matutum is a stratovolcano that rises 2,286 meters with a base diameter of 25 km. It has 2 hot springs, called Akjmoan and Linan, 5.7 km west-southwest of the volcano. Adjacent volcanic edifices are Landayao, Tampad, and Albulhek, which are all west of the volcano, and Magolo to the north. There is a well-preserved 320 metre wide crater at the volcano's summit. The crater is breached by three gorges and has a 120 metre deep, densely forested floor.

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Mayon

Mount Mayon is the most beautiful volcano on earth. Mayon Volcano is the Philippines' most active volcano and is considered to be the world's most perfectly formed volcano for its symmetrical cone. It is a basaltic-andesitic volcano.The upper slopes of the volcano are steep averaging 35-40 degrees and are capped by a small summit crater. Its sides are layers of lava and other volcanic material.

Mayon has had forty-seven eruptions in recorded history. The first recorded eruption was in 1616, the last major eruption ceased on 1st October 2006, although a devastating lahar followed on 30 November 2006.
The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814. Lava flowed but not as much compared to the 1766 eruption. Instead, the volcano was belching dark ash and eventually bombarding the town with tephra that buried the town of Cagsawa—only the bell tower of the town's church remained above the new surface. Trees were burned; rivers were certainly damaged. Proximate areas were also devastated by the eruption with ash accumulating to 9 m (30 ft) in depth. 2,200 Albay locals perished in what is considered to be the most lethal eruption in Mayon's history.
Mayon Volcano's longest uninterrupted eruption occurred on June 23, 1897 which lasted for seven days of raining fire. Lava once again flowed down to civilization. Seven miles eastward, the village of Bacacay was buried 15 m (50 ft) beneath the lava. In Libog, 100 people were declared dead—incinerated by steam and falling debris or hot rocks. Other villages like San Roque, Misericordia and Santo Niño became deathtraps. Ash was carried in black clouds as far as 160 km (100 mi) from the catastrophic event. More than 400 persons were killed.

Last volcanic activity: ACTIVE AT THIS VERY MOMENT - Alert Level 1

Mayon Volcano’s seismic network did not detect any volcanic earthquake during the past 24-hour observation period.  Moderate emission of white steam plumes drifting towards west-northwest and northwest was observed. The crater was visible last night but no glow could be observed. Measurement of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate on 17 April 2012 yielded an average of 422 tonnes per day. Ground deformation survey (precise leveling) conducted last 1–5 February 2012 showed no significant change compared with the November 2011 survey.

Mayon Volcano’s alert status remains at Alert Level 1.  Although this means that no eruption is imminent, it is strongly advised that the public refrain from entering the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the threat of sudden steam-driven eruptions and rockfalls from the upper and middle slopes of the volcano. Active stream/river channels and those identified as perenially lahar prone areas on all sectors of the volcano should also be avoided especially during bad weather condition or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano and any new development will be relayed to all concerned.

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Musuan

Musuan volcano, also known as Calayo, is an isolated, low grass-covered andesitic-to-dacitic lava dome and tuff cone that rises to 646 m above flat farmland in the province of Bukidnon in central Mindanao. An eruption, consisting of a possible phreatic explosion that "burned everything around it," was reported by a Jesuit priest to have occurred four years prior to his 1891 visit, at which time strong solfataric activity prevented closer examination. PHIVOLCS reported eruptions in 1866 and 1867. A strong earthquake swarm occurred near Musuan volcano in 1976.

Last volcanic activity: A strong seismic swarm occurred near Musuan in 1976

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Parker

Parker volcano, also known locally as Falen, is a low, vegetated stratovolcano overlooking Sarangani Bay near the southern tip of Mindanao Island. The steep-sided, 1824-m-high andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano is surrounded by extensive, youthful pyroclastic-flow deposits that suggest parallels to Pinatubo volcano. The summit of Parker is truncated by a 2.9-km-wide caldera with steep-sided walls that rise 200-500 m above heart-shaped Maughan Lake. This volcano was unknown to most volcanologists until recent years, but it is now known to have been the source of a major explosive eruption in 1641 that was previously attributed to Awu volcano on Sangihe Island, Indonesia and caused darkness over the island of Mindanao. The 1641 eruption included the emplacement of voluminous pyroclastic flows and lahars and resulted in the formation of the summit caldera. This was the last of three major explosive eruptions from Parker during the last 3800 years.

Last volcanic activity: 1641

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Pinatubo

Prior to 1991 Pinatubo volcano was a relatively unknown, heavily forested lava dome complex located 100 km NW of Manila with no records of historical eruptions. The 1991 eruption, one of the world's largest of the 20th century, ejected massive amounts of tephra and produced voluminous pyroclastic flows, forming a small, 2.5-km-wide summit caldera whose floor is now covered by a lake. Caldera formation lowered the height of the summit from 1745 to 1486 m. Although the eruption caused hundreds of fatalities and major damage with severe social and economic impact, successful monitoring efforts greatly reduced the number of fatalities. Widespread lahars that redistributed products of the 1991 eruption have continued to cause severe disruption. At least six major eruptive periods, interrupted by lengthy quiescent periods, have occurred from modern Pinatubo volcano during the past 35,000 years. Most of these have produced major pyroclastic flows and lahars that were even more extensive than in 1991.

The word 'pinatubo' means 'to have made grow' in Tagalog and Sambal, which may suggest a knowledge of its previous eruption in about AD 1500, although there is no oral tradition among local people of earlier large eruptions. Pinatubo might instead mean a fertile place where crops can be made to grow. An indigenous group of people, the Aetas (also spelled as Ayta), had lived on the slopes of the volcano and in surrounding areas for several centuries, having fled the lowlands to escape persecution by the Spanish. They were a hunter-gatherer people who were extremely successful in surviving in the dense jungles of the area. These people also grew some staple crops such as wheat, barley and rice.

In total, about 30,000 people lived on the flanks of the volcano in barangays and other small settlements. The dense jungle covering most of the mountain and surrounding peaks supported the hunter-gathering Aeta, while on the surrounding flatter areas, the abundant rainfall (almost 4 m annually) provided by the monsoon climate and the fertile volcanic soils provided excellent conditions for agriculture, and many people grew rice and other staple foods. About 500,000 people continue to live within 40 km of the mountain, with population centres including the 150,000 in Angeles City, and 20,000 at Clark Freeport Zone.

Last volcanic activity: July 9 to August 16, 1992

On July 16, 1990, an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck central Luzon. This was the largest earthquake recorded in 1990, comparable in size to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Its epicenter was at Cabanatuan City, about 100 km northeast of Pinatubo, leading some volcanologists to speculate that it might ultimately have triggered the 1991 eruption, although this is impossible to prove conclusively. Two weeks after the earthquake, local residents reported steam coming from the volcano, but scientists visiting the mountain found that small landslides rather than any eruptive activity were responsible.

On March 15, 1991, a succession of earthquakes was felt by villagers on the north-western side of the volcano. Further earthquakes of increasing intensity were felt over the next two weeks, and it became clear some kind of volcanic activity was imminent. On April 2, the volcano awoke, with phreatic eruptions occurring near the summit along a 1.5 km long fissure. Over the next few weeks, small eruptions continued, dusting the surrounding areas with ash. Seismographs recorded hundreds of small earthquakes every day.
Scientists immediately installed monitoring equipment and analyzed the volcano for clues as to its previous eruptive history. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal found in old volcanic deposits revealed the three major explosive eruptions in recent millennia, about 5500, 3500 and 500 years ago. Geological mapping showed that much of the surrounding plains were formed by lahar deposits from previous eruptions.
Volcanic activity increased throughout Measurements of sulfur dioxide emission showed a rapid increase from 500 tons per day by May 13 to 5,000 tons/day by May 28. This implied that there was a rising column of fresh magma beneath the volcano. After May 28, the amount of SO2 being emitted decreased substantially, raising fears that the degassing of the magma had been blocked somehow, leading to a pressure build-up in the magma chamber and a high likelihood of explosive eruptions.
The first magmatic eruptions occurred on June 3, and the first large explosion on June 7 generated an ash column 7 km (4.5 miles) high. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) led by Raymundo Punongbayan issued a warning indicating the possibility of a major eruption within two weeks.

In early June, tiltmeter measurements had shown that the volcano was inflating, evidently due to growing amounts of magma filling the reservoir beneath the summit. At the same time, seismic activity, previously concentrated at a depth of a few kilometers below a point about 5 km northwest of the summit, shifted to shallow depths just below the summit. On June 7, the first magmatic eruptions took place with the formation of a lava dome at the summit of the volcano. The dome grew substantially over the next five days, reaching a maximum diameter of about 200 m and a height of 40 m.
A small explosion at 03:41 on June 12 marked the beginning of a new, more violent phase of the eruption. A few hours later, large explosions lasting about half an hour generated an eruption column which quickly reached heights of over 19 km, and which generated pyroclastic flows extending up to 4 km from the summit in some river valleys. Fourteen hours later, a 15 minute eruption hurled ash to heights of 24 km. Friction in the uprushing ash column generated abundant lightning.
A third large eruption began at 08:41 on June 13, after an intense swarm of small earthquakes over the previous two hours. It lasted about five minutes, and the eruption column once again reached 24 km. After three hours of quiet, seismic activity began, growing more and more intense over the next 24 hours, until a three-minute eruption generated a 21 km-high eruption column at 13:09 on June 14.
Tephra fall from these four large eruptions was extensive to the southwest of the volcano. Two hours after the last of these four explosions, a series of eruptions began which lasted for the next 24 hours, and which saw the production of much larger pyroclastic flows and surges which travelled several kilometres down river valleys on the flanks of the volcano.

n all, the eruption ejected about ten cubic kilometres (2.5 mile³) of material, making it the largest eruption since that of Novarupta in 1912 and some ten times larger than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Ejected material such as tephra fallout and pyroclastic flow deposits are much less dense than magma, and the volume of ejected material was equivalent to about four cubic kilometres (1 mile³) of unerupted material. This colossal eruption had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 6.The former summit of the volcano was replaced by a caldera 2.5 km wide. The highest point on the caldera rim now stood 1,485 m above sea level, some 260 m lower than the pre-eruption summit.
About 300 people were killed by the eruption, mostly by roofs collapsing under the weight of accumulated wet ash, a hazard that was greatly exacerbated by the simultaneous arrival of Typhoon Yunya. The evacuation in the days preceding the eruption certainly saved tens of thousands of lives, and has been hailed as a great success for volcanology and eruption prediction.
However, since the eruption, each rainy season has brought further lahars, which have caused the displacement of thousands of people. Hundreds have died from poor sanitation in relocation camps. Agriculture in the region also suffered badly from the effects of the eruption, with hundreds of square kilometres of formerly arable land being rendered infertile, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of farmers

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Smith

Five Pleistocene-to-Holocene volcanic centers occupy Babuyan de Claro Island north of Luzon. The largest edifice is Mt. Pangasun (Babuyan Claro), an active stratovolcano with two summit craters 300 and 400 m in diameter. The symmetrical basaltic andesite cinder cone of Smith Volcano, located 4 km to the NW of Babuyan Claro, rises to 688 m and is the youngest volcano on the island. Both Babuyan Claro and Smith volcanoes have apparently been active in historical time, although the identity of the erupting volcano is not always certain. Askedna Hot Spring is located at the southern base of Babuyan Claro.

Last volcanic activity: 1924, hot springs

On July 8, 1993, a PHIVOLCS Quick Response Team conducted an investigation on the reported unusual volcanic activity at Babuyan Island.  Results of the survey showed that Smith Volcano was quiet.  No volcanic earthquake was recorded during the survey.  Presently, Smith Volcano is sparsely vegetated.

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Taal

Taal volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has produced some of its most powerful historical eruptions. In contrast to Mayon volcano, Taal is not topographically prominent, but its prehistorical eruptions have greatly changed the topography of SW Luzon. The 15 x 20 km Talisay (Taal) caldera is largely filled by Lake Taal, whose 267 sq km surface lies only 3 m above sea level. The maximum depth of the lake is 160 m, and several eruptive centers lie submerged beneath the lake. The 5-km-wide Volcano Island in north-central Lake Taal is the location of all historical eruptions. The island is a complex volcano composed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones that has grown about 25% in area during historical time. Powerful pyroclastic flows and surges from historical eruptions of Taal have caused many fatalities.

There have been 33 recorded eruptions at Taal since 1572. One of the more devastating eruptions occurred in 1911, which claimed more than a thousand lives. The deposits of that eruption consisted of a yellowish, fairly decomposed (non-juvenile) tephra with a high sulfur content.

The most recent period of activity lasted from 1965 to 1977, and was characterized by the interaction of magma with the lake water, which produced violent phreatic explosions. In particular, the 1965 eruption led to the recognition of base surge a process in volcanic eruption (due to the fact that one of the American geologists, who visited the volcano shortly after the 1965 eruption, had witnessed an atomic bomb explosion when he was a soldier). The eruption generated base surges and cold pyroclastic flows, which traveled several kilometers across Lake Taal, devastating villages on the lake shore and, killing about a hundred people. The population of the island was evacuated only after the onset of the eruption. Precursory signs were not interpreted correctly until after the eruption. Eruptions in 1968 and 1969 were characterized partly by Strombolian activity and produced a massive lava flow that reached the shore of lake Taal. The 1977 eruption merely produced a small cinder cone within the main crater.

Although the volcano has been quiet since 1977, it has shown signs of unrest since 1991, with strong seismic activity and ground fracturing events, as well as the formation of small mud pots and mud geysers on parts of the island. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) regularly issues notices and warnings about current activity at Taal, including ongoing seismic unrest.

Last volcanic activity:ACTIVE AT THIS VERY MOMENT - Alert Level 1

Taal Volcano’s seismic network detected two (2) volcanic earthquakes during the past 24-hour observation period. Field measurements on 24 April 2012 at the eastern sector of the Main Crater Lake yielded a slight increase in water temperature of 33.9°C from 33.0°C, and decreased water level of 0.25 meter from 0.36 meter. Ground deformation survey (precise leveling) on the Volcano Island last 15 - 17 February 2012 indicated no significant change compared with October 2011, but is nonetheless still inflated compared with baseline data. GPS data for the period of February 2011 to second week of March 2012 show steady deflation beginning in August 2011, but nonetheless also indicated that the edifice is still slightly inflated compared to February 2011 baseline data

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