Photo credit: NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / INQUIRER

Its deceptive beauty hides its potential danger. PHIVOLCS classifies Taal as a complex volcano system. Its giant caldera is mostly submerged by Taal Lake, with only a small portion visible to tourists.

Historical Eruptions

Taal Volcano has recorded 34 historical eruptions over the last 400 years, ranging from phreatic to phreatomagmatic eruptions:

• 1754: Lasted 200 days, covered four towns in ash, rocks, and water; ashfall reached 100–110 cm.
• 1911: One of the deadliest eruptions, causing 1,334 deaths and ashfall reaching Manila; multiple lakes disappeared and merged into a single large lake.
• January 12, 2020: Alert level 4; ashes affected Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Pangasinan; classes canceled, travel disrupted, medical masks sold out.
• July 1, 2021: Alert level raised from 2 to 3; eruption declared phreatomagmatic, emitting smog/vog.

Lessons from Taal Volcano

Through its eruptions and stunning scenery, Taal reminds us of the power of nature. As our world continues to progress, we must:

• Keep the environment clean and respected
• Preserve natural resources and prevent pollution
• Stay prepared for natural calamities to minimize loss of life and property

By caring for the environment, we help protect ourselves from future destruction caused by natural disasters.