THE HAVOC OF TAAL VOLCANO

By Published On: July 14th, 2021
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Taal Volcano: Beauty and Danger in Batangas

The small but mighty Taal Volcano, located in Batangas, is one of the Philippines’ most active and dangerous volcanoes.

Taal Volcano

Photo credit: NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / INQUIRER

Located in Batangas, Taal Volcano is considered an active yet passive volcano due to its occasional smoke emissions. Despite being the smallest volcano in the world, it is the second most active in the Philippines.

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.

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