Sign of an Impending Volcanic Eruption

1.Increase of seismic activity

2.Deformation of Volcano
3.Gases that come out of fumaroles
4.If plants nearby die suddenly, if the colour
of any lakes or ponds nearby changes
5.Changes in thermal images of volcanic
areas
It is important to be able to observe
warning signs of volcanic unrest so that
people can evacuate in time, to minimize
injuries and casualties. It is therefore
important to be able to monitor a volcano’s
activity, and this is normally done with the
aid of different tools or instruments to
monitor the different parameters.
The list below showing 24 active volcanoes
in the Philippines was based on the
PHIVOLCS list with some included from the
GVP. The number is not definite and
depends on someone's definition of "active"
or historical time frame.
1. Ambalatungan (Mount
Binuluan)
Location: Kalinga (Luzon)
Ambalatungan has reportedly
erupted in 1952 and 1986 or
1987 but they are unverified.
Nevertheless, it is recognized as
an active volcano due to its hot
springs and fumarole fields (an
area surrounding a volcano
with openings that emit steam
and gas). (1erupted)
2. Babuyan Claro
Location: Babuyan Island
Group, Cagayan (Luzon)
Babuyan Claro erupted two
times only: in 1831 and 1860.
There were reports of volcanic
activity in 1913 and 1993 but
are not confirmed. A hot
spring referred to as Askedna
can be found at the southern
part of Babuyan Claro. (3
times erupted)
3. Banahaw
Location: Laguna and Quezon
(Luzon)
Banahaw is popular not only
among mountain climbers but
also among pilgrims as it is
also considered as a Holy
Mountain. This volcano
complex boasts of caves,
streams, boulders, and springs
which the locals deemed to be
sacred and are a source of
holy water (4 times erupted)
4. Biliran
Location: Biliran (Visayas)
Biliran has only one
historical eruption and
that sole eruption caused
the formation of an
island. It also has four hot
springs. (1 time erupted)
5. Bud Dajo (Jolo Group of
Volcanoes)
Location: Jolo, Sulu (Mindanao)
While the PHIVOLCS recognized Bud
Dajo as cinder cone (volcano
composed of particles such as
hardened lava), the Global
Volcanism Program lists it as an
active volcano. Its been declared as
a national park and has a game
refuge where vulnerable and
endangered species like Philippine
cockatoo and Sulu hornbill can be
6. Bulusan
Location: Sorsogon, Bicol Region
(Luzon)
With a record of 15 eruptions
since 1885, Bulusan is recognized
as the 4th most active volcano in
the country. Most of its eruption
produce ash falls which caused
only minor damage to
surrounding areas. Bulusan has
four craters and four hot springs
which are enjoyed by tourists.
7. Cabalian
Location: Southern
Leyte (Visayas)
Aside from hot springs,
one of its thermal
features is solfataras. A
lake called Danao Lake
occupies the summit
crater of Cabalian. (1
time erupted)
8. Cagua
Location: Cagayan
(Luzon)
This volcano covered by
vast lava flows has
erupted twice only with
the last eruption in 1907.
It has six hot springs. (1
time erupted)
9. Camiguin de
Babuyanes
Location: Babuyan Island
Group, Cagayan (Luzon)
With one verified eruption
in 1857, Camiguin de
Babuyanes is an active
stratovolcano that
houses fumaroles and a
boiling spring. (1 time
erupted)
10. Didicas
Location: Babuyan
Island Group, Cagayan
(Luzon)
Didicas used to be
submarine volcano but
re-emerged from the sea
in 1952. It has six
recorded eruptions. (6
time erupted)
11. Hibok-Hibok
Location: Camiguin Island (Northern
Mindanao)
Hibok-Hibok erupted just five times
since 1827 but one of its eruption
destroyed a town and created the
sunken cemetery, now a popular
tourist destination in Camiguin Island.
Hibok-Hibok, a popular hiking
destination, has three craters and
blessed the island with six hot springs
which are visited by tourists local and
foreign alike. (5 times erupted)
12. Iraya
Location: Batan Island,
Batanes (Luzon)

This heavily forested

volcano last erupted in
1454 but seismic
activity activities were
recorded in 1998. (1
time erupted)
13. Iriga
Location: Camarines Sur
(Luzon)
Last eruption was in 1642. It
is about a kilometer away
from Lake Buhi, home to
several marine life such as
sinarapan – the worlds’s
smallest commercially
harvested fish. (1 time
14. Isarog
Location: Camarines Sur
(Luzon)

Mount Isarog used to be a

guerilla hideout during the
Japanese invasion. It is
now a protected and home
to endemic rodents,
mammals, and several
bird species. (1 time
erupted)
15. Kanlaon
Location: Negros Occidental and Negros
Oriental (Visayas)

Kanlaon is the third most active volcano in the

country with a record of 30 eruptions since
1819. This highest point in the whole of Visayas
stands in the middle of Negros Occidental and
Negros Oriental. Most of its eruptions produce
minor ash falls except in 1902 when it erupted
lava and gas fumes.

Mount Kanlaon is a favorite destination not just

by mountain climbers but even by families and
friends because of the several waterfalls and
hot springs including the popular Mambukal Hot
Springs where guests can stay for a day or
overnight.
16. Leonard Kniaseff
Location: Davao de
Oro (Mindanao)

It has strong thermal

features but no
recorded eruption in
modern times. (1 time
erupted)
17. Makaturing
Location: Lanao del Sur
(Mindanao)

PHIVOLCS lists Makaturing

having 10 eruptions but
Smithsonian’s Institution’s
Global Volcanology Program
disputes that the eruptions in
1865 and 1882 were that of
Ragang’s. (5 times erupted)
18. Matutum
Location: Cotabato
(Mindanao)

Matutum is about 30 km
away from General
Santos City. It has two
hot springs – Acmonan
and Linan. (1 time
erupted)
19. Mayon
Location: Albay, Bicol Region (Luzon)
Known as the “perfect cone” for its perfect symmetric
conical shape, Mayon is the most active volcano in
the country with more than 50 recorded eruptions in
the past 500 years. Its eruption in 1814 is considered
as the most destructive one – burning trees,
damaging rivers as well as the areas surrounding the
volcano. The Cagsawa ruins, with only the church
bell tower existing presently, is a prominent reminder
of this unfortunate event.

Mayon Volcano is featured in the back portion of

P100 Philippine money. There are also ATV and 4×4
tours and trekking offered by several operators.
20. Musuan (Mount
Calayo)
Location: Bukidnon
(Mindanao)
With an elevation of 646
meters asl, Musuan is a
lava dome and tuff cone.
PHIVOLCS lists two
eruptions. (2 times
21. Parker (Mount Melibengoy)
Location: Provinces of Cotabato, General
Santos, and Sarangani (Mindanao)

While locally named as Melibengoy,

Mount Parker got its English name from
an American named Frank Parker who
claimed to have discovered the mountain
in 1934. Its last eruption was in 1641
which caused the formation of the crater
lake. (1 time erupted)
22. Pinatubo
Location: Zambales Mountains (Central Luzon)
Pinatubo may only have two recorded
eruptions but one of it, the 1991 eruption, is
considered the most destructive volcano
eruption in Philippine history and the 2nd
largest eruption in the world during the 20th
century. Thousands of locals (indigenous Aetas)
inhabiting the dense forest covering the
volcano have been displaced and nearby areas
were severely damaged thus affecting the
livelihood of many. This eruption was
mentioned in the movie “Dante’s Peak”.
Several tour operators offer Mount Pinatubo
tours and trekking packages which allow you to
see the crater lake. (3 times erupted)
23. Ragang
Location: Provinces of
Cotabato and Lanao del Sur
(Mindanao)

Also called Mount

Piapayungan and Blue
Mountain by the locals,
Ragang is the 7th highest
mountain in the Philippines and
the most active volcano in
Mindanao. (7 times erupted)
24. San Pablo Volcanic Field
(Laguna Volcanic Field)
Location: Laguna (Luzon)
Aside from Mount Makiling as
its most prominent volcanic
feature, the field is also home
to several maars, crater lakes,
scoria scones and
stratovolcanoes. There are
also mud and hot springs in
the area. (1 time erupted)
25. Smith
Location: Babuyan
Island Group,
Cagayan (Luzon)

Smith has a record of

six eruptions with the
latest in 1924. (6 times
erupted)
26. Taal
Location: Batangas (Luzon)

Taal may be one of the lowest volcanoes in the

world with just 311 meters elevation but it is
recognized as the second most active volcano in
the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions. It’s a
caldera volcano near the middle of Taal Lake.
Both the lake and volcano are a popular
backdrop when in Tagaytay City.

Tourists can take a boat to the volcano and the

more adventurous ones can hike up to the
crater. (33 times erupted)
27. Unnamed Volcano
(Ibugos)
Location: Ibugos, Batanes
(Luzon)

This unnamed volcano is a

submarine volcano 5
kilometers off Ibugos Island.
Last recorded eruption was
in 1854. (3 times erupted)
North of Luzon (5) Central Philippines (8)
✓ Babuyan Claro ✓ Biliran
✓ Camiguin de ✓ Cabalian
Babuyanes ✓ Cancanajag
✓ Didicas ✓ Canlaon
✓ Cuernos De Negros
✓ Iraya
✓ Mahagnao
✓ Unnamed ✓ Mandalagan
✓ Silay
Mindanao (15)
✓Apo ✓Range
✓Makaturing
✓Balatukan
✓Malindang
✓Balut ✓Matutum
✓Hibok Hibok ✓Musuan
✓Kalatungan ✓Paco
✓Latukan ✓Parker
✓Leonard ✓Ragang

Sulu Island (1)

✓Jolo
Luzon Island (29)
✓ Malindig
✓ Ambalatungan
✓ Mariveles
✓ Amorong
✓ Masaraga
✓ Arayat
✓ Mayon
✓ Banahaw
✓ Natib
✓ Binuluan
✓ Panay
✓ Bulusan
✓ Patoc
✓ Cagua
✓ Pinatubo
✓ Iriga
✓ Pocdol Mountains
✓ Isarog
✓ San Pablo
✓ Labo
✓ Santo Tomas
✓ Laguna
✓ Taal
✓ Makiling
✓ Malinao
The Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) for volcanoes
is an delineated and identified where no
permanent habitation is recommended due to the
possible impact of various hazards at any time.
For Mayon Volcano, the area covered within 6-
kilometer radius from the summit is
delineated as the PDZ. As soon as Alert Level is
raised from 0 to 1, it is recommended that people
should not venture within this area at any time.
This is already part of the precautionary action
taken by the Province of Albay when Alert 1 is
declared.