TAAL VOLCANO

Taal Volcano (Filipino: Bulkang Taal, IPA: [taʔal]; Spanish: Volcán Taal) is a large caldera filled

by Taal Lake on Luzon island in the Philippines,[1] and is in the province of Batangas. Taal Volcano is
the second most active volcano in the Philippines, with 33 recorded historical eruptions, all of which
were concentrated on Volcano Island, near the middle of Taal Lake. The caldera was formed by
prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 and 5,380 BP.[2][3]
Viewed from the Tagaytay Ridge in Cavite, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most
picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines.[4] It is located about 50 kilometers (31 mi) south of
the capital of the country, the city of Manila. The main crater of Taal Volcano originally had a lake,
until the 2020 eruption that evaporated the water inside it.
The volcano has had several violent eruptions in the past, causing loss of life on the island and the
populated areas surrounding the lake, with the death toll estimated at about 6,000. Because of its
proximity to populated areas and its eruptive history, the volcano was designated a Decade Volcano,
worthy of close study to prevent future natural disasters. All volcanoes of the Philippines are part of
the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Etymology[edit]
Taal Volcano was also called Bombou in 1821.[5]

Geography[edit]
See also: Taal Volcano Main Crater Lake and Vulcan Point

Teide

Nyiragongo

Vesuvius

Etna
Santorini

Unzen

Sakurajima

Taal

Merapi

Ulawun

Mauna Loa

Colima

Santa María

Avachinsky

Koryaksky

Galeras

Rainier
Taal Volcano is one of the 16 Decade Volcanoes.

Taal Volcano and Lake are wholly located in the province of Batangas. The northern half of Volcano
Island falls under the jurisdiction of the lake shore town of Talisay, and the southern half to San
Nicolas. The other communities that encircle Taal Lake include the cities of Tanauan and Lipa, and
the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Santa Teresita, San
Nicolas, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Balete, and Mataasnakahoy.[6]
Permanent settlement on the island is prohibited by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVOLCS), declaring the whole Volcano Island as a high-risk area and a Permanent
Danger Zone (PDZ).[7] Despite the warnings, some families remained settled on the island, risking
their lives, earning a living by fishing and farming crops from the rich volcanic soil.[8][9][10][11]
Prior to the 2020 eruption[12], the Main Crater Lake on Volcano Island used to be the largest lake on
an island in a lake on an island in the world. Moreover, this lake used to contain Vulcan Point, a
small rocky island inside the lake. After the 2020 eruption, the Main Crater Lake have disappeared
due to volcanic activity.[12]

Geological history[edit]
Taal Volcano is part of a chain of volcanoes along the western side of the edge of the island of
Luzon, which were formed by the subduction of the Eurasian Plate underneath the Philippine Mobile
Belt. Taal Lake lies within a 25–30 km (16–19 mi) caldera formed by explosive eruptions between
140,000 and 5,380 BP.[2] Each of these eruptions created extensive ignimbrite deposits, reaching as
far away as where Manila stands today.[13]
Since the formation of the caldera, subsequent eruptions have created a volcanic island within the
caldera, known as Volcano Island. This 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) island covers an area of about 23
square kilometres (8.9 sq mi) with the center of the island occupied by the 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) Main
Crater with a single crater lake formed from the 1911 eruption. The island consists of different
overlapping cones and craters of which forty-seven have been identified. Twenty six of these are tuff
cones, five are cinder cones and four are maars.[14]

Eruption history[edit]
Pre-20th century[edit]
There have been 42 recorded eruptions at Taal from 1572 to 1977. The first eruption of which there
is any record occurred in 1572, the year the Augustinian friars founded the town of Taal on the
shores of the lake (on what is now San Nicolas, Batangas). In 1591, another mild eruption took
place, featuring great masses of smoke issuing forth from the crater. From 1605 to 1611, the
volcano displayed such great activity that Father Tomas de Abreu had a huge cross
of anubing wood erected on the brink of the crater.[15][16]

The dormant Binintiang Malaki (Big Leg) cone was the center of the 1707 and 1715 eruptions.

Between 1707 and 1731, the center of activity shifted from the Main Crater to other parts of Volcano
Island. The eruptions of 1707 and 1715 occurred in Binintiang Malaki (giant leg) crater (the cinder
cone visible from Tagaytay Ridge), accompanied by thunder and lightning. Minor eruptions also
emanated from the Binintiang Munti crater on the westernmost tip of the island in 1709 and 1729. A
more violent event happened on 24 Sept. 1716, when the whole southeastern portion of the crater of
(Calauit), opposite Mount Macolod, was blown out. Father Manuel de Arce noted the 1716 eruption
"killed all the fishes...as if they had been cooked, since the water had been heated to a degree that it
appeared to have been taken from a boiling caldron." The 1731 eruption off Pira-Piraso, or the
eastern tip of the island, created a new island.[17][16]
Activity returned to the Main Crater on 11 Aug. 1749, and it was remembered for being particularly
violent (VEI = 4), with eruptions continuing until 1753. Then came the great 200-day eruption of
1754,[14][15]Taal Volcano's greatest recorded eruption, which lasted from 15 May to 12 Dec. The
eruption caused the relocation of the towns of Tanauan, Taal, Lipa and Sala. The Pansipit River was
blocked, causing the water level in the lake to rise. Father Bencuchillo stated that of Taal, "nothing
was left...except the walls of the church and convent...everything was buried beneath a layer of
stones, mud, and ashes."[17][16]
Taal remained quiet for 54 years except for a minor eruption in 1790. Not until March 1808 did
another big eruption occur. While this outbreak was not as violent as the one in 1754, the immediate
vicinity was covered with ashes to a depth of 84 centimetres (33 in). It brought great changes in the
interior of the crater, according to chroniclers of that time. "Before, the bottom looked very deep and
seemed unfathomable, but at the bottom, a liquid mass was seen in continual ebullition. After the
eruption, the crater had widened and the pond within it had been reduced to one-third and the rest of
the crater floor was higher and dry enough to walk over it. The height of the crater walls has
diminished and near the center of the new crater floor, a little hill that continually emitted smoke. On
its sides were several wells, one of which was especially remarkable for its size."[17]
On July 19, 1874, an eruption of gases and ashes killed all the livestock on the island. From
November 12–15, 1878, ashes ejected by the volcano covered the entire island. Another eruption
took place in 1904, which formed a new outlet in the southeastern wall of the principal crater. As of
12 January 2020, the last eruption from the Main Crater was in 1911, which obliterated the crater
floor creating the present lake. In 1965, a huge explosion sliced off a huge part of the island, moving
activity to a new eruption center, Mount Tabaro.[14]

20th century[edit]
1911 eruption[edit]

Taal Volcano's crater before the 1911 eruption, with the central cone and one of the lakes on the crater floor
One of the more devastating eruptions of Taal occurred in January 1911. During the night of the 27th
of that month, the seismographs at the Manila Observatory commenced to register frequent
disturbances, which were at first of insignificant importance, but increased rapidly in frequency and
intensity. The total recorded shocks on that day numbered 26. During the 28th there were recorded
217 distinct shocks, of which 135 were microseismic, while 10 were quite severe. The frequent and
increasingly strong earthquakes caused much alarm at Manila, but the observatory staff was soon
able to locate their epicenter in the region of Taal Volcano and assured the public that Manila was in
no danger, as Taal is distant from it some 60 km (37 mi) away.[18]
In Manila, in the early hours of 30 January 1911, people were awakened by what they at first
perceived as loud thunder. The illusion was heightened when great lightning streaks were seen to
illuminate the southern skies. Those who investigated further, however, soon learned the truth. A
huge, fan-shaped cloud of what looked like black smoke ascended to great heights. It was
crisscrossed with a brilliant electrical display, which the people of Manila perceived as lightning. This
cloud finally shot up in the air, spread, then dissipated, and this marked the culmination of the
eruption, at about 2:30 a.m.[15]
On Volcano Island, the destruction was complete. It seems that when the black, fan-shaped cloud
spread, it created a blast downward that forced hot steam and gases down the slopes of the crater,
accompanied by a shower of hot mud and sand. Many trees had the bark shredded and cut away
from the surface by the hot sand and mud blast that accompanied the explosion, and contributed so
much to the loss of life and destruction of property. The fact that practically all the vegetation was
bent downward, away from the crater, proved that there must have been a very strong blast down
the outside slopes of the cone. Very little vegetation was actually burned or even scorched.[15] Six
hours after the explosion, dust from the crater was noticeable in Manila as it settled on furniture and
other polished surfaces. The solid matter ejected had a volume of between seventy million and
eighty million cubic metres (2.5×109 and 2.8×109 cubic feet) (VEI = 3.7). Ashes fell over an area of
2,000 square kilometres (770 square miles), although the area in which actual destruction took place
measured only 230 square kilometres (89 sq mi).[15] The detonation from the explosion was heard
over an area more than 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) in diameter.[18]
Death toll[edit]
The eruption claimed a reported 1,100 lives and injured 199, although it is known that more perished
than the official records show. The seven barangays that existed on the island previous to the
eruption were completely wiped out. Post mortem examination of the victims seemed to show that
practically all had died of scalding by hot steam or hot mud, or both. The devastating effects of the
blast reached the west shore of the lake, where a number of villages were also destroyed. Cattle to
the number of 702 were killed and 543 nipa houses destroyed. Crops suffered from the deposit of
ashes that fell to a depth of almost half an inch in places near the shore of the lake.

Main Crater with Vulcan Point Island in 2009

Effect on the Volcano Island[edit]

Volcano Island sank from 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) as a result of the eruption. It was also found that the
southern shore of Lake Taal sank in elevation from the eruption. No evidences of lava could be
discovered anywhere, nor have geologists been able to trace any visible records of a lava flow
having occurred at any time on the volcano back then. Another peculiarity of the geologic aspects of
Taal is the fact that no sulphur has been found on the volcano. The yellow deposits and
encrustations noticeable in the crater and its vicinity are iron salts, according to chemical analysis. A
slight smell of sulfur was perceptible at the volcano, which came from the gases that escaped from
the crater.[15]
Post-eruption crater changes[edit]
Great changes took place in the crater after the eruption. Before 1911, the crater floor was higher
than Taal lake and had several separate openings in which there were lakes of different colors.
There was a green lake, a yellow lake, a red lake and some holes filled with hot water from which
steam issued. Many places were covered with a shaky crust of volcanic material, full of crevices,
which was always hot and on which it was rather dangerous to walk. Immediately after the
explosion, the vari-colored lakes had disappeared and in their place was one large lake, about ten
feet below the level of the lake surrounding the island. The crater lake gradually rose until it is on a
level with the water in Taal Lake. Popular opinions after the creation of the lake held that the
presence of the water in the crater has a tendency to cool off the material below and thus lessen the
chances of an explosion or make the volcano extinct, but the preponderance of expert opinion was
otherwise.[15](The subsequent eruption in 1965 and succeeding activities came from a new eruptive
center, Mount Tabaro.)
Ten years after the eruption, no changes in the general outline of the island could be discerned at a
distance. On the island, however, many changes were noted. The vegetation had increased; great
stretches that were formerly barren and covered with white ashes and cinders became covered with
vegetation.[15]
1965 to 1977 eruption[edit]

Cinder cone and embayment created by the 1965 eruption

There was a period of activity from 1965 to 1977 with the area of activity concentrated in the vicinity
of Mount Tabaro. The 1965 eruption was classified as phreatomagmatic,[14] generated by the
interaction of magma with the lake water that produced the violent explosion that cut an embayment
on Volcano Island. The eruption generated "cold" base surges[19] which travelled several kilometers
across Lake Taal, devastating villages on the lake shore and, killing about a hundred people.
An American geologist who had witnessed an atomic bomb explosion as a soldier visited the
volcano shortly after the 1965 eruption and recognised "base surge" (now called pyroclastic
surge when relating to volcanoes[20]) as a process in volcanic eruption.[21]
Precursory signs were not interpreted correctly until after the eruption; the population of the island
was evacuated only after the onset of the eruption.
After nine months of repose, Taal reactivated on July 5, 1966 with another phreatomagmatic
eruption from Mount Tabaro, followed by another similar eruption on August 16, 1967.
The Strombolian eruptions which started five months after on January 31, 1968 produced the first
historical lava fountaining witnessed from Taal. Another Strombolian eruption followed a year later
on October 29, 1969. The massive flows from the two eruptions eventually covered the bay created
by the 1965 eruption, reaching the shore of Lake Taal. The last major activities on the volcano
during this period were the phreatic eruptions of 1976 and 1977.[14]

21st century[edit]

Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.

Since the 1977 eruption, it had 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 issued
notices and warnings about current activity at Taal, including ongoing seismic unrest.[22]
2008

 August 28. PHIVOLCS notified the public and concerned authorities that the Taal seismic
network recorded ten (10) volcanic earthquakes from 5:30 a.m. to 3 PM. Two (2) of these
quakes that occurred at 12:33 and 12:46 PM, were both felt at intensity II by residents at
barangay Pira-piraso. These quakes were accompanied by rumbling sounds. The events were
located northeast of the volcano island near Daang Kastila area with depths of approximately
0.6 kilometers (0.37 mi) (12:33 PM) and 0.8 kilometers (0.50 mi) (12:46 PM).[23]
2009

 July 20. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) executive officer Glenn Rabonza
warned that although there were no volcanic quakes detected at Taal since the detection of nine
volcanic quakes from June 13 to July 19, and there had been no steaming activity monitored
since last recorded on June 23, PHIVOLCS Alert stands at Level 1, warning that Taal's main
crater is off-limits to the public because steam explosions may occur or high concentrations of
toxic gases may accumulate.[citation needed]
Taal Volcano provides a picturesque view from Tagaytay.

2010

 June 8. PHIVOLCS raised the volcano status to Alert Level 2[24] (scale is 0–5, 0 referring to
No Alert status), which indicates the volcano is undergoing magmatic intrusion which could
eventually lead to an eruption. PHIVOLCS reminds the general public that the Main Crater
remains off-limits because hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur, along with the
possible build-up of toxic gases. Areas with hot ground and steam emission such as portions of
the Daang Kastila Trail are considered hazardous.[25]
 May 11–24. Crater lake temperature increased by 2–3 °C (3.6–5.4 °F). The composition of
Main Crater Lake water has shown above normal values of Mg/Cl, SO4/Cl and Total Dissolved
Solids. There has been ground steaming accompanied by hissing sounds on the northern and
northeast sides of the main crater.
 April 26. Volcanic seismicity had increased.
2011

 From April 9 to July 5,[26] Alert Level on Taal Volcano was raised from 1 to 2 for eleven weeks
because of increased seismicity on Volcano Island. Frequency peaked to about 115 tremors on
May 30 with maximum intensity at IV, accompanied by rumbling sounds. Magma was intruding
towards the surface, as indicated by continuing high rates of CO2 emissions in the Main Crater
Lake and sustained seismic activity. Field measurements on May 24 showed lake temperatures
slightly increased, pH values slightly more acidic and water levels 4 cm (1.6 in) higher. A ground
deformation survey conducted around the Volcano Island April 26 to May 3 showed that the
volcano edifice inflated slightly relative to the April 5-11 survey.[27]
2019

 Alert Level 1 was raised on the volcano because of frequent volcanic activities since March.
 Based on the 24-hour monitoring of the Taal Volcano’s seismic network, 57 volcanic
[28]

earthquakes were observed from the morning of November 11 to the morning of November 12.
2020[edit]
Main article: 2020 Taal Volcano eruption
Taal Volcano's January 12, 2020, explosion

 The volcano erupted again on the afternoon of January 12, 2020, 43 years after the 1977
eruption, with the alert level of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology escalating
from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 4.[29] It was an eruption from the main crater on Volcano Island.
The eruption spewed ashes to Calabarzon, Metro Manila, some parts of Central
Luzon and Pangasinan in Ilocos Region, which cancelled classes, work schedules, and flights.[30]
[31]
 Ashfalls and volcanic thunderstorms were reported, and forced evacuations were made.[32]
[33]
 Dangers of possible volcanic tsunami were also warned.[34] The volcano produced volcanic
lightning above its crater with ash clouds.[35] The eruption progressed into magmatic eruption
characterized by lava fountain with thunder and lightning.[36] Thankfully, activity in Taal Volcano
was reduced and Alert Level status reduced from 4 to 2. However, trends in Taal Volcano might
rise again and PHIVOLCS are still monitoring the volcano if activity on Taal might rise again or
not; even the chances of its hazardous eruption.

Activity monitoring[edit]

A solar-powered remote monitoring station located at Taal Volcano island

Alert Levels[edit]
PHIVOLCS maintains a distinct Alert Level system for six volcanoes in the Philippines including
Taal. There are six levels, numbered 0 to 5.[37]

Taal Volcano Alert Signals[37]

Alert
Leve Criteria Interpretation
l

0 Background, quiet No eruption in foreseeable future.

Magmatic, tectonic or hydrothermal disturbance; no

1 Low level seismicity, fumarolic, other activity
eruption imminent.

A) Probable magmatic intrusion; could

2 Low to moderate level of seismicity, persistence eventually lead to an eruption.
of local but unfelt earthquakes. Ground B) If trend shows further decline, volcano
deformation measurements above baseline may soon go to level 1
levels. Increased water and/or ground probe
hole temperatures, increased bubbling at Crater
 Lake.

Relatively high unrest manifested by seismic

swarms including increasing occurrence of low
frequency earthquakes and/or harmonic tremor A) If trend is one of increasing unrest,
(some events felt). Sudden or increasing hazardous eruption is possible within days to weeks.
3
changes in temperature or bubbling activity or B) If trend is one of decreasing unrest,
radon gas emission or crater lake pH. Bulging of volcano may soon go to level 2
the edifice and fissuring may accompany
seismicity.
Intense unrest, continuing seismic swarms,
including harmonic tremor and/or “low frequency
4 earthquakes” which are usually felt, profuse Hazardous eruption is possible within days.
steaming along existing and perhaps new vents
and fissures.
Hazardous eruption in progress. Extreme hazards to
Base surges accompanied by eruption columns
5 communities west of the volcano and ashfalls on
or lava fountaining or lava flows.
downwind sectors.

Eruption precursors at Taal[edit]

 Increase in frequency of volcanic quakes with occasional felt events accompanied by
rumbling sounds
 On the Main Crater Lake, changes in the water temperature, level, and bubbling or boiling
activity on the lake. Before the 1965 eruption began, the lake's temperature rose to about 15 °C
(27 °F) degrees above normal.[38] However, with some eruptions there is no reported increase in
the lake's temperature.
 Development of new or reactivation of old thermal areas like fumaroles, geysers or mudpots
 Ground inflation or ground fissuring.
 Increase in temperature of ground probe holes on monitoring stations.
 Strong sulfuric odor or irritating fumes similar to rotten eggs.
 Fish killed and drying up of vegetation.[2]
Other possible precursors[edit]
Volcanologists measuring the concentration of radon gas in the soil on Volcano island measured an
anomalous increase of the radon concentration by a factor of six in October 1994. This increase was
followed 22 days later by the magnitude 7.1 Mindoro earthquake on November 15, centered about
50 kilometres (31 miles) south of Taal, off the coast of Luzon.
A typhoon had passed through the area a few days before the radon spike was measured, but
when Typhoon Angela, one of the most powerful to strike the area in ten years, crossed Luzon on
almost the same track a year later, no radon spike was measured. Therefore, typhoons were ruled
out as the cause, and there is strong evidence that the radon originated in the stress accumulation
preceding the earthquake.[39]