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Taal Volcano is acomplex volcanolocated on the island ofLuzonin thePhilippines. Historical eruptions
are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle ofLake Taal. The lake partially fills Taal
Caldera, which was formed by powerful prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 to 5,380 BP.[1]
Viewed
fromTagaytayRidge, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views
in the Philippines.[2]
It is located about 50 km (31 mi) south of the capital of the country, the city ofManila.
The volcano had several violent eruptions in the past causing loss of life in the island and the populated
areas surrounding the lake, with the death toll estimated at around 5,000 to 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 futurenatural disasters. It is one of theactive volcanoes in the
Philippinesand part of thePacific ring of fire.
Contents
[hide]
1 Geography
2 Recent activity
o 2.1 2011
o 2.2 2010
o 2.3 2009
o 2.4 2008
3 Geological history
4 Eruption history
o 4.1 The 1754 eruptiono 4.2 1911 eruption
4.2.1 Death toll
4.2.2 Observations on the Volcano Island after the eruption
4.2.3 Changes on the crater after the eruption
4.2.4 Vulcan Point
o 4.3 1965 to 1977 eruption
5 Eruption precursors at Taal
o 5.1 Other possible precursors
6 Images
7 See also
8 References
9 Other references
10 External links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-TaalPHIVOLCS-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-TaalPHIVOLCS-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-TaalPHIVOLCS-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagaytay_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagaytay_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagaytay_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-Journal-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-Journal-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-Journal-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decade_Volcanoeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decade_Volcanoeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decade_Volcanoeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disasterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disasterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disasterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_ring_of_firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_ring_of_firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_ring_of_firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Geographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Geographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Recent_activityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Recent_activityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2011http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2011http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2010http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2010http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2009http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2009http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Geological_historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Geological_historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Eruption_historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Eruption_historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#The_1754_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#The_1754_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#1911_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#1911_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Death_tollhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Death_tollhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Observations_on_the_Volcano_Island_after_the_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Observations_on_the_Volcano_Island_after_the_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Changes_on_the_crater_after_the_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Changes_on_the_crater_after_the_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Vulcan_Pointhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Vulcan_Pointhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#1965_to_1977_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#1965_to_1977_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Eruption_precursors_at_Taalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Eruption_precursors_at_Taalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Other_possible_precursorshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Other_possible_precursorshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Imageshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Imageshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Other_referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Other_referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Other_referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Imageshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Other_possible_precursorshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Eruption_precursors_at_Taalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#1965_to_1977_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Vulcan_Pointhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Changes_on_the_crater_after_the_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Observations_on_the_Volcano_Island_after_the_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Death_tollhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#1911_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#The_1754_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Eruption_historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Geological_historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2009http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2010http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#2011http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Recent_activityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#Geographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_ring_of_firehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_volcanoes_in_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disasterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decade_Volcanoeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-Journal-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagaytay_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-TaalPHIVOLCS-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_volcano 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[edit]Geography
Taal Volcano and Lake are wholly located in theprovinceofBatangas. The northern half of Volcano
Island falls under the jurisdiction of the lake shore town ofTalisay, and the southern half toSan Nicolas.
The other towns that encircle Taal Lake includeTanauan,Talisay,Laurel,Agoncillo,Santa
Teresita,Alitagtag,Cuenca,Lipa,BaleteandMataas na Kahoy.
[3]
Permanent settlement in the island is prohibited by thePhilippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismologyor PHIVOLCS, declaring the whole Volcano Island as a high-risk area and a Permanent
Danger Zone (PDZ).[4]
Despite the warnings, poor families have settled on the island, risking their lives,
earning a living by fishing and farming crops from the rich volcanic soil .[5][6][7][8]
[edit]Recent activity
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 smallmud potsand
mudgeyserson parts of the island. ThePhilippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology(PHIVOLCS)
regularly issues notices and warnings about current activity at Taal, including ongoing seismic unrest.
[9]
[edit]2011
5 Jul. Alert Level was lowered from 2 to 1 after 11 weeks (April 9) of increased activity.
1 Jun. Alert Level 2. Volcanic earthquakes (24 hrs) = 22. (2) Intensity II earthquakes in the eastern
sector of volcano accompanied by rumbling sounds. Bubbling activity observed in the middle of Main
Crater Lake.
31 May. Alert Level 2. Volcanic earthquakes (24 hrs) = 31. (1) Intensity I and (2) Intensity II
earthquakes, NE & SE sector of volcano accompanied by rumbling sounds.
30 May. Alert Level 2. Volcanic earthquakes (24 hrs) = 115. (1) Intensity I, (9) Intensity II, (1) Intensity
III, and (1) Internsity IV earthquakes, NE, SW & SE sector of volcano accompanied by rumblingsounds.
29 May. Alert Level 2. Volcanic earthquakes (24 hrs) = 10.
28 May. Alert Level 2. Volcanic earthquakes (24 hrs) = 6. Magma has been 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 24 May 2011 show lake temperatures slightly
increased, pH values slightly more acidic and water levels 4 cm higher. A ground deformation survey
conducted around the Volcano Island 26 April - 3 May 2011 showed that the volcano edifice inflated
slightly relative to the 05-11 April 2011 survey.[10]
22 May. Alert level 2. Volcanic earthquakes (25 hrs) = 5.[11]
10 Apr. Alert Level 2. The main crater, Daang Kastila Trail, and Mt Tabaro are strictly off-limits to the
public because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions could occur. Breathing air with high
concentration of gases can be lethal to humans, animals and can even damage vegetation, the
agency warned[12]
[edit]2010
8 June. PHIVOLCS raised the volcano status to Alert Level 2[13]
(scale is 0-5, 0 referring to No Alert
status), which indicates the volcano is undergoing magmatic intrusion which could eventually lead to
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisay,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisay,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisay,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Nicolas,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Nicolas,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Nicolas,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanauan_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanauan_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanauan_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisay,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisay,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisay,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoncillo,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoncillo,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoncillo,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Teresita,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Teresita,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Teresita,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Teresita,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alitagtaghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alitagtaghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuenca,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuenca,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuenca,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipa_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipa_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipa_Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balete,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balete,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balete,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mataas_na_Kahoy,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mataas_na_Kahoy,_Batangashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Institute_of_Volcanology_and_Seismologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Institute_of_Volcanology_and_Seismologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Institute_of_Volcanology_and_Seismologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Institute_of_Volcanology_and_Seismologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_pothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_pothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_pothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Institute_of_Volcanology_and_Seismologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Institute_of_Volcanology_and_Seismologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Institute_of_Volcanology_and_Seismologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=4http://en.wikipedia.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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.[14]
1124 May. Crater lake temperature increased by 2-3C. The composition of Main Crater Lake water
has shown above normal values of Mg/Cl, SO4/Cl and Total Dissolved Solids. There has beenground steaming accompanied by hissing sounds on the northern and northeast sides of the main
crater.
26 April. Volcanic seismicity had increased.
[edit]2009
20 July. 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 Taals main crater is off-limits to
the public because steam explosions may suddenly occur or high concentrations of toxic gases may
accumulate.[citation needed]
Taal Volcano provides a picturesque view from Tagaytay City.
[edit]2008
28 August. PHIVOLCS notified the public and concerned authorities that the Taal seismic network
recorded ten (10) volcanic earthquakes from 5:30 AM 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 km (12:33 PM) and 0.8 km (12:46
PM)"[15]
[edit]Geological history
Taal Volcano is part of a chain ofvolcanoesalong the western side of the edge of the island of Luzon,
which were formed by thesubductionof theEurasian Plateunderneath thePhilippine Mobile Belt. Taal
Lake lies within a 2530 km caldera formed by four explosive eruptions between 500,000 and 100,000
years ago. Each of these eruptions created extensiveignimbritedeposits, reaching as far away as
whereManilastands today.[citation needed]
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Since the formation of the caldera, subsequent eruptions have created another volcanic island, within the
caldera, known as Volcano Island. This island covers an area of about 23 square kilometres (8.9 sq mi),
and consists of overlapping cones and craters. Forty-seven different cones and craters have been
identified on the island.[16]
[edit]Eruption history
There have been 33 recorded eruptions at Taal since 1572. The first eruption of which there is any record
occurred in 1572, the year the Agustinian friars founded the town ofTaalon the shores of the lake (on
what is nowSan Nicolas, Batangas). In 1591, another mild eruption took place featured by great masses
of smoke issuing forth from the crater. From 1605 to 1611, the volcano displayed such great activity that
Father Torna de Abreu had a huge cross ofanubingwood erected on the brink of the crater.[17]
The dormant Binintiang Malaki(Big Leg) Crater is the center of the 1707 & 1715 eruption.
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 Binitiang Malaki crater (the cinder cone visible from
Tagaytay). Minor eruptions also emanated from the Binintiang Munti crater on the westernmost tip of the
island in 1709 and 1729. A more violent activity happened on September 24, 1716, when the wholesoutheastern portion of the crater (Calauit), opposite Mount Macolod, was blown out. The 1731 eruption
off Pira-Piraso or eastern tip of the island created an island.[18]
No studies had been done to determine
whether Napayon or Bubuin Island was formed in the eruption, or just apumice raft.
Activity returned to the Main Crater in 1749, and it was remembered for being particularly violent (VEI=
4). Then came the great 200-day eruption of 1754, the greatest eruption of Taal which is described
below.[16][17]
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 were
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 seemedunfathomable, 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.[18]
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On July 19, 1874, an eruption of gases and ashes killed all the live stock on the island. From November
12 to 15, 1878, ashes ejected by the volcano covered the entire island. Another eruption took place in
1904 as a result of which a new outlet was formed in the southeastern wall of the principal crater. 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. Eruptions have also been recorded in 1634, 1635, 1641, 1645, 1790, 1825, 1842, 1873,1885, 1903, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976 and 1977.
[16][19]Some of the major eruptions are
described below:
[edit]The 1754 eruption
Taal Volcano's greatest recorded eruption occurred in 1754 which lasted from May 15 to December 1.
The following is the narrative account of Fr. Buencuchillo, parish priest of Sala, and stationed at Taal at
that time:
On May 15, 1754, at about 9 or 10 o'clock in the night, the volcano quite unexpectedly
commenced to roar and emit, sky-high, burning flames intermixed with glowing rocks which,
falling back upon the island and rolling down the slopes of the mountain, created the impression
of a large river of fire. During the following days there appeared in the lake a large quantity of
pumice stone which had been ejected by the volcano. Part of these eject had also reached the
hamlet of Bayuyungan and completely destroyed it.
The volcano continued thus until June 2, during the night of which the eruption reached such
proportions that the falling ejecta made the entire island appear to be on fire, and it was even
feared that the catastrophe might involve the shores of the lake. From the said 2nd of June until
September 25, the volcano never ceased to eject fire and mud of such bad character that the
best ink does not cause so black a stain.During the night of September 25, the fire emitted was quite extraordinary and accompanied by
terrifying rumblings. The strangest thing was, that within the black column of smoke issuing from
the volcano ever since June 2, there frequently formed thunderstorms, and it happened that the
huge tempest cloud would scarcely ever disappear during two months.
At daybreak of September 26 we found ourselves forced to abandon our dwelling for fear lest the
roofs come down upon us under the weight of ashes and stones which had fallen upon them
during that hapless night. In fact, some weaker buildings collapsed. The depth of the layer of
ashes and stones exceeded two "cuartas" (45 centimeters), and the result was that there was
neither tree nor other plant which it did not ruin or crush, giving to the whole region an aspect as if
a devastating conflagration had swept over it. After this the volcano calmed down considerably,
though not sufficiently to offer any prospect of tranquility.
During the night of November 1, Taal resumed its former fury, ejecting fire, rocks, sand, and mud
in greater quantities than ever before. On November 15, it vomited enormous boulders which
rolling down the slopes of the island, fell into the lake and caused huge waves [note(added by
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smoke spread very gradually as far as the crater of the volcano, while there were many whiffs
issuing from points in the direction of another headland. I realized that the island had opened in
these places and fearing that, if a crater should open below the water, an explosion might follow,
much more formidable than the preceding ones, I mounted a horse and retired permanently to the
Sanctuary of Caysasay.
Between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the said 29th, it began to rain mud and ashes at
Caysasay [12 miles from the volcano] and this rain lasted three days. The most terrifying
circumstance was that the whole sky was shrouded in such darkness that we could not have
seen the hand placed before the face, had it not been for the sinister glare of incessant lightnings.
Nor could we use artificial light as this was extinguished by the wind and copious ashes which
penetrated everywhere. All was horror those three days, which appeared rather like murky nights
and we did not occupy ourselves with anything but see to it that the natives swept off the roofs
the large quantities of ashes and stones which kept on accumulating upon them and threatenedto bring them down upon us, burying us alive beneath their weight. But fearing that even these
precautions might prove unavailing, we 3 Europeans - viz. Fr. Prior, the Alcalde, and myself - the
only ones who were at the time in the Convento of Caysasay, took refuge on the landing of the
stairs; as the safest place, and awaited there whatever God might dispose with regard to us. To
all this was added incessant thunder and lightning, and it really looked as if the world was going
to pieces and its axis had been displaced.
During the night of the 30th we had not a moment of repose, as every moment we heard the loud
crush of houses collapsing under of stones, mud, and ashes piled upon them, and feared that the
turn of the convento and the church of Casasay would come in next. Shortly before daybreak of
December 1 there was a tremendous crash as if the house were coming down on our heads: the
roof of the apse of the church had caved in! Not long afterward, the roof of their kitchen gave
away with a thud. Both were tile roofs.
The first of December broke somewhat clear and our eyes contemplated everywhere ruins and
destruction. The layer of ashes and mud was more than 5 spans [1.10 m] thick, and it was almost
a miracle that the roof of the church andconvento sustained so great a weight. We caused the
bulk of the material to be removed, while new continued to fall on that day and the following, on
which latter the direction of the wind changed, carrying the ejecta toward Balayan. On the 3rd and
4th we had a formidable typhoon, and thereafter the volcano quieted down.
Soon afterward I resolved to visit my town of Taal; nothing was left of it except the walls of the
church andconvento. All the rest, the government house, the walks of the rope factory, the
warehouse, everything was buried beneath a layer of stones, mud, and ashes more than 10
spans [2.20 m] thick; only here and there could be seen an upright post, the only remnant of a
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comfortable dwelling. I went down to the river and found it completely filled up, with a boat
belonging to the alcalde and many of private persons buried in the mud. After incredible efforts I
finally succeeded in unearthing in what had once been the church and sacristy, the chests which
contained the sacred vestments and vessels. Nearly all of them were demolished by the rocks
and beams which had fallen upon them, and filled with foul-smelling mud that had ruined or
disfigured their contents. With the aid of some natives of Bauang, I likewise recovered some
property from among the ruins of the convento.
Twelve persons are known to have perished - some carried away by the waves of the lake, others
crushed beneath their collapsing houses. Thus the beautiful town of Taal remains a deserted
wilderness and reduced to the utmost misery, while once it was one of the richest and most
flourishing places. In the villages to the west of the lake, which were the greater and better part,
all the houses have either collapsed under the load of material which had been piled upon them
or have disappeared completely, swept away by the waves which in these places were so violentthat they dug three ditches or channels, too wide and deep to be forded, and thus rendered
impassable the road which joins the town with Balayan. In other parts of the lake shore have
likewise opened many cracks and occurred very extensive slides. The worst of all is, that, the
mouth of the river Pansipit having been blocked, the lake is rising and invading the towns of Lipa
and Tanauan, both being on the lowest level, and inundating their buildings. All the animals of
whatever kind have perished, some by being buried, others by drowning, the rest by starving, as
not a green blade remained anywhere.
The same fate as Taal has befallen the towns of Lipa, Tanauan, and so much of Sala as still
existed. These towns, together with Taal, lay around the lake, being situated within easy reach of
it, and less than one league [4 kilometers] from the volcano. The bulk of the population left this
neighborhood and settled in more distant places. Thus out of 1200 taxpayers whom Taal
contained formerly, hardly 150 remain in the poorest and least respectable villages, which
suffered little from the rain of ashes.[18]
Taal Volcano's crater before the 1911
eruption with the central cone and one of
the lakes on the crater floor.
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[edit]1911 eruption
One of the more devastating
eruptions 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 37 miles
(60 km).[20]
In Manila in the early hours of
January 30, 1911, people were
awakened out of their sleep by what
they at first took for loud thunder.
The illusion was heightened when
great streaks of lightning were seen
to illumine the southern sky. Those
who investigated further, however,
soon learned the truth. A huge, fan-
shaped cloud of what looked like
black smoke rose to a great height.
It was crossed and crisscrossed
with a brilliant electrical display,
which the people of Manila at first
took for 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.[17]
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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.[17]
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
70,000,000 and 80,000,000 cubic
meters (VEI= 3). Ashes fell over an
area of 2,000 square kilometres
(770 sq mi), although the area in
which actual destruction took place
measured only 230 square
kilometres (89 sq mi).[17]
The
detonation from the explosion was
heard over an area more than 600
miles (970 km) in diameter.[20]
[edit]Death toll
The eruption claimed a reported
1,335 lives and injured 199;
although it is known that more
perished than the official records
show. The sevenbarangaysthat
existed on the island previous to the
eruption were completely wiped out.
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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 lakewhere 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
[edit]Observations on the
Volcano Island after the
eruption
Volcano Island sank from three toten feet 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. Slight smell of
sulfur was perceptible at the
volcano, which came from the
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gases that escape from the
crater.[17]
[edit]Changes on the crater
after the eruption
Great changes took place in thecrater after the eruption. Before
1911, the crater floor was higher
than Taal lake and had several
separate openings in which 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 hotand 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.
Opinions after the creation of the
lake 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.[17]
(The subsequent
eruption in 1965 and succeeding
activities came from a new eruptive
center, Mount Tabaro.)
Ten years after the eruption, nochanges 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
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cinders became covered with
vegetation.[17]
[edit]Vulcan Point
One large rock, now called Vulcan
Point that projects from the surfaceof the crater lake was the remnant
of the old crater floor that is now
surrounded by the 2 kilometres
(1.2 mi) wide lake, now referred to
as the Main Crater Lake. Vulcan
Point is cited as the world's largest
island within a lake on an island
within a lake on an island,[21]
i.e.,
Vulcan Point within Crater Lake, on
Taal Island within Lake Taal, on the
island of Luzon.
Cinder cone and embayment createdby the 1965 eruption.
[edit]1965 to 1977 eruption
The most recent period of activity
lasted from 1965 to 1977 with the
area of activity concentrated in the
vicinity of Mount Tabaro. The 1965
eruption was classified
asphreatomagmatic,[16]
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[22]
which traveled several
kilometers across Lake Taal,
devastating villages on the lake
shore and, killing about a hundred
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people. That eruption, in particular,
led to the recognition ofbase
surge[23]
(one of the American
geologists who witnessed an atomic
bomb explosion as a soldier and
visited the volcano shortly after the1965 eruption, compared it to an
atomic base surge) as a process in
volcanic eruption, which are now
calledpyroclastic surgeswhen
relating to volcanoes.[24]
The
population of the island was
evacuated only after the onset of
the eruption. Precursory signs were
not interpreted correctly until after
the eruption.
Thestrombolian eruptionsof 1968
and 1969 produced massive lava
flow that eventually covered the bay
created by the 1965 eruption,
reaching the shore of Lake Taal.
The last major activities on the
volcano were thephreatic
eruptionsof 1976 and 1977.
[edit]Eruption precursors
at Taal
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 several
degrees above normal. However,
on some eruptions there is no
reported increase in the lake's
temperature. On some eruptions,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroclastic_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroclastic_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroclastic_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strombolian_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strombolian_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strombolian_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strombolian_eruptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroclastic_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_surgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_surge -
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the dissolution of acidic volcanic
gases into the lake has resulted in
the death of large numbers of fish
and animals.
Development of new orreactivation of old thermal
areas
likefumaroles,geysersormud
pots
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 kills and drying up of
vegetation[1]
[edit]Other possibleprecursors
Volcanologists measuring the
concentration ofradongas 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
amagnitude7.1earthquakeon
November 15,centeredabout
50 km south of Taal, off the coast of
Luzon.
Atyphoonhad passed through the
area a few days before the radon
spike was measured, but
whenTyphoon Angela, one of the
most powerful to strike the area inten 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
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumarolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumarolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumarolehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudpothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudpothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudpothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudpothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-TaalPHIVOLCS-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-TaalPHIVOLCS-0http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_scalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_scalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_scalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicenterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicenterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicenterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Angela_(1995)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Angela_(1995)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Angela_(1995)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Angela_(1995)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicenterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_scalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taal_Volcano&action=edit§ion=17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-TaalPHIVOLCS-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudpothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudpothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geyserhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumarole -
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in the stress accumulation
preceding the earthquake.[25]
NAME OF VOLCANO: TAALLOCATION: Batangas (1400.1' N, 12059.1' E)
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Elevation: 0.311 km
Type of Volcano: Tuff cone
Crater Lakes/Caldera/Maars:
MAIN CRATER LAKE - 1.9 km in diameter; blue-green in color, 4 m above sea level,
deepest point: 76 m
Taal Volcano Island has 47 craters and 4 maars
TAAL CALDERA - 25 km across and formed between 140,000 to 5,380 BP
TAAL LAKE - inside the caldera; 267 sq. km and 2 m above sea level
Adjacent Volcanic Edifice: Makiling (NE) Malepunyo (E), Batulao (W) and Macolod (SE)
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES
Rock Type: Olivine basalt, Andesite
Tectonic Setting: Macolod Corridor
Age of Deposits: 5380+_ 170 ybp (Radiocarbon age, Listanco, 1994)
VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
Number of Historical Eruptions: 33
Latest Eruption/Activity: 1977 Oct. 3
Eruption Type:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano#cite_note-24 -
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1. Phreatic (e.g. 1878, 1911, 1970)
2. Phreatomagmatic (e.g. 1749, 1965, 1966)
3. Strombolian (e.g. 1968, 1969)
4. Plinian (e.g. 1754)
Precursors to Eruptions:1. Increase in frequency of quakes with occasional felt events accompanied by
rumbling sounds
2. Increase in temperature and level of Main Crater Lake
3. Development of new thermal areas and/or reactivation of old ones
4. Ground swells or inflation and ground fissuring
5. Increase in temperature of ground probe holes at Mt. Tabaro
6. Sulfuric odor and acrid fumes
7. Fish kills and drying up of vegetation
VOLCANIC HAZARDS
Type of Hazards:
1. Base surges
2. Ashfalls and ballistic projectiles
3. Lava flows
4. Seiches/Tsunamis and flooding
5. Lakeshore landslide
6. Fissuring and ground subsidence
Permanent Danger Zone: Entire Volcano Island
Other Buffer Zones: Lakeshore barangays of Talisay, Agoncillo, San Nicolas and Laurel
Areas To be Evacuated:
In case of an eruption similar in nature and magnitude to:
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1965 ACTIVITY - entire Volcano Island and four lakeshore barangays of Agoncillo and
Laurel
1911 ACTIVITY - entire Volcano Island and lakeshore barangays of Talisay, Tanauan,
Agoncillo, Balete, San Nicolas and Laurel
Additional areas to be evacuated shall be determined based on the development in
eruptive style and location of the monitored parameters.
MONITORING ACTIVITY
Volcano Observatory: Taal Volcano Observatory, Buco, Talisay - 9.7 km N of Main
Crater
(12059.06E, 1405.10N)
Monitoring Methods:
1. Seismic monitoring (number of volcanic quakes and tremors)
2. Visual observations
3. Ground deformation (EDM, precise leveling, tilt)
4. Main Crater Lake chemistry, temperature and level
Monitoring Stations
A Seismic Network
Central Receiving & Processing Station: Taal Volcano Observatory, Buco, Talisay
Seismic stations: Binintiang Munti, Calauit, Main Crater and Pira-piraso
Repeater stations: Tagbakin, Napayung and Daang Kastila
B Ground Deformation Network
EDM lines: Tagbakin (instrument site) to Calauit (2 lines), . Buco (instrument site) to
Pira-piraso (2 lines), Bilibinwang (instrument site) to Saluyan, Eruption Site (Tabaro),
Alas-as
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Precise leveling lines: Calauit, Kaygabok Alas-as, Pira-piraso
Electronic tilt: Daang Kastila, Calauit
History of
Taal's
activity to
1911 as
described
by Fr.
Saderra
Maso
Last modification: march 18th, 1999
One of the main sources of information regarding early eruptions of Taal volcano is
the slender book (26 pages) by the reverent Miguel Saderra Maso (1991)"The
eruption of Taal Volcano, January 30, 1911", which was published by the Weather
Bureau in Manila.
This paper is difficult to get access to (even in Manila) and the present writerobtained a copy from Chris Newhall (thanks Chris!). Most more accessible
sources on early eruptions of Taal, notably the paper of Dean Worcester
(1912), published in the National Geographic magazine, largely quoteSaderra Maso`s paper for Taal`s eruptions prior to 1904. For this reason, a
portions of that book, i.e. S. Maso`s translations of early eyewitness accounts,
is made available on this internet page (Maso`s translations of Spanish textsappear in green courier font face and are repeated in fill length, other text is
slightly abridged and my insertations are identified by []). The translations
form the core of chapter II of Maso's book: "Eruptions within historicaltimes".
http://www.iml.rwth-aachen.de/Petrographie/taal-mas/ta-maso.htm#Saderra%20Masohttp://www.iml.rwth-aachen.de/Petrographie/taal-mas/ta-maso.htm#Saderra%20Masohttp://www.iml.rwth-aachen.de/Petrographie/taal-mas/ta-maso.htm#Saderra%20Masohttp://www.iml.rwth-aachen.de/Petrographie/taal-mas/ta-maso.htm#Saderra%20Masohttp://www.iml.rwth-aachen.de/Petrographie/taal-mas/ta-maso.htm#Saderra%20Masohttp://www.iml.rwth-aachen.de/Petrographie/taal-mas/ta-maso.htm#Saderra%20Maso -
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... the whole point
called Calauit
appeared to be on
fire.
burst on its southeastern side, which faces Lipa, so that the
whole point called Calauit appeared to be on fire. Later on
the eruption seemed to spread into the lake, in the direction
of Mount Macolod, which rises opposite the volcano on the
southeastern shore of the lake. Great masses of smoke, water,
and ashes rushed out of the lake, high up into the air,
looking like towers. Simulaneously there was a great commotion
in the earth which stirred up the water in the lake, forming
immense waves which lashed the shores as though a violent
typhoon were raging. Their fury was such that in front of the
convento of Taal, and in other places of the beach, a strip of
more than 10 brazas (16.7 meters) in width was engulfed by the
water, and the church was endangered. On the following days,
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, things continued the same way,
but by Sunday all the combustible material appears to have
been consumed. This eruption killed all the fishes, large and
small, the waves casting them ashore in a state 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. There
was an all-pervading, pestilential stench of sulfur which
greatly molested the inhabitants of the towns surrounding thelake.
Sunday morning the sun broke through, but later torrential
rains fell with thunder and lightning, some of the latter
striking and the whole causing greatest terror. Finally,
however, the weather cleared and of the whole tragedy there
remained no other signs than the stench of sulfur and of the
great quantity of dead fish cast upon the beach by the waves.
The foregoing paragraphs are taken from the narrative of Fr. Manuel de
Acre, who copied them from the "Actas de Taal".
1729 In 1729 took place a new outburst of the volcano which is attested by a reportwhich as late as 1849 existed in the parochial archives of Tanauan.
1731
... there appeared
The fire burst forth again, this time from the lake, at a
short distance from the point (of Volcano Island) which looks
toward east. Vast and towering obelisks of earth and sand
arose out of the water, which within a few days formed a new
islet of about one quarter of a league (1.8 kilometers, or
about one mile) in circumference. No damage was, however, done
to the neighbouring towns.
Fr Torrubia ("Aparato" folio 110), who at the time of this eruption was at LosBaos, gives us the following details concerning the event:
With terror we heard during one of the nights a continuous
fire of heavy artillery, as if two mighty armies were engaged
in abttle. This was followed by a terrible earthquake of long
duration, after which we heard only isolated detonations, not
with the former frequency, but very much sharper. Their
persistency caused us to pass the following day in
considerable enxiety and fear. At nightfall we were informed
that out of the depths of Lake Bonbon, which is at a distance
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in the air,
surrounded by
sulphurous
flames ...
enormous
boulders, whichbuilt up an island
from the bottom
of the deep lake,
said island having
a diameter of one
mile.
of eight leagues (34 kilometers, or 21 miles) there rose such
a frightful and all-devouring conflagration that the whole
region was panic-stricken. Curiosity led me to go and examine
the terrible phenomenon which lasted during many days,
accompanied by subterranean rumblings which caused the entire
region to tremble. The moment when a report was heard, there
appeared in the air, surrounded by sulphurous flames and
pestilential smake, enormous boulders, which built up an
island from the bottom of the deep lake, said island having a
diameter of one mile, more or less. After the conflagration
had become extinct, I myself saw this island from a place near
Tanauan. It is composed entirely of rocks with an admixture of
other materials ejected during the eruption, without any earth
whatever. The rocks, subject to the action of fire ever since
their formation, clearly reveal the hand which placed them
there. This all-consuming fire made the water boil, cooked the
fishes, and left the impress of its fierceness on the very
rocks.
1749 On august 11, 1749, began one of the most violent outbursts of Taal on
record. It has been described by Fr. Buencuchillo, O.S.A., an eye-witness,since he was at the time parish-priest of Sala.
During the night of that day the top of the mountain burst
with tremendous force from the same crater which since ancient
times used to emit fire and rocks. The course of the events
was this: At about 11 o`clock of the night I had noticed a
rather extensive glare over the top of the island; but
entirely unaware of what it might portent, I paid no special
attention to it and retired to rest. Around 3 o`clock in the
morning of the 12th, I heard something like heavy artillery
fire and began to count the reports, taking it for granted
that they came from the ship which was expected to arrive from
New Spain (Mexico) and which, according to ancient custom, onentering Balayan Bay saluted Our Lady of Cayaysay. I thought
it strange, however, when I found that the number of
detonations already exceeded one hundred and still they did
not cease. This caused me to rise with some anxienty as to
what could be the matter; but my doubts were quickly
dispelled, as at this moment there appeared four excited
natives who shouted: "Father, let us leave this place! The
volcano has burst out and all this noise and racket comes from
it!"
... from the water
there rose
enormous columns
of sand and ashes,
which ascended ...
to marvelous
heights ...
By this time it began to dawn, and we saw the immense column
of smake which rose from the summit of the island, while
several smaller whiffs issued from other openings. I confess
that the spectacle, far from freightening me, rather delightedmy eyes , especially when i noticed that also from the water
there rose enormous columns of sand and ashes, which ascended
in the shape of pyramids to marvelous heights and then fell
back into the lake like illuminated fountains.
Some of the pyramids surged toward north, others toward east,
the sight lasting until 9 o`clock of the morning. At the
latter hour there was felt a furious earthquake which left
nothing moveable in its place within the convento. This forced
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ejecta that in my opinion, all the material ejected during so
many months, if taken together, would not equal the quantity
which issued at the time. The columns of fire and smoke
ascended higher than ever before, increasing every moment in
volume, and setting fire to the whole island, there being not
the smallest portion of the latter which was not covered by
the smoke and the glowing rocks and ashes. All this was
accompanied by terrific lightning and thunder above, and
violent shocks of earthquakes underneath. The cloud of ejecta,
carried on by the wind, exented itself toward west and south
with the result that we saw already some stones fall close to
our shore. I, therefore, shouted to all those who were still
in the town to take to flight and we all ran off in a hurry;
otherwise we would have been engulfed on the spot; as the
waves of the angry lake began already to flood the houses
nearest to the beach.
We left the town,fleeing this living
picture of
Sodom.....
We left the town, fleeing this living picture of Sodom, with
incessant fear lest the raging waters of the lake overtake us,
which were at the moment invading the main part of the town,
sweeping away everything they encountered. On the outskirts of
the town, I came upon a woman who was so exhausted by her
burden of two little children and a bundle of clothing that
she could proceed no farther. Moved by pity, I took one of the
taddlers from her and carried him, and the little indio who
has been wailing while in the arms of his mother, stopped
short when I took him into mine and never uttered a sound
while I was carrying him a good piece of the way.
All was horror
during those
three days...
Having reached a secure place on elevated ground at a distance
of about half a league (2 kilometers) from the town, we halted
in a hut to rest a little and take some food. From this spot
the volcano could be contemplated with a little more serenity
of mind. It still continued in full fury, ejecting immense
masses of material. Now I also observed that the earth was in
continuous, swaying motion, a fact which I had failed to
notice during the excitement and fear of the flight.
Shortly afterwards the volcano suddenly subsided almost
suddenly; its top was clear and apparently calm. We,
therefore, returned on the following day, the 29th, to the
town with the intention of surveying the havoc wrought during
the preceeding night.
The 29th had dawned calm, but while we were still trying to
persuade ourselves that the tragedy was overand the volcano
had exhausted its bowls, at about 8 o'clock, we heard a crash
and then I noticed that smoke was rising from the point of the
island that looks towards east. The smoke spread very
gradually as far as the crater of the volcano, while there
were many whiffs issuing from points in the direction of
another headland. I realized that the island had opend in
these places and fearing that, if a crater should open below
the water, an explosion might follow, much more formidable
than the preceeding ones, I mounted a horse and retired
permanently to the Sanctuary of Caysasay.
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Between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the said 29th, it
began to rain mud and ashes at Caysasay [12 miles from the
volcano] and this rain lasted three days. The most terrifying
circumstance was that the whole sky was shrouded in such
darkness that we could not have seen the hand placed before
the face, had it not been for the sinister glare of incessant
lightnings. Nor could we use aritifical light as this was
extinguished by the wind and copius ashes which penetrated
everywhere. All was horror those three days, which appeared
rather like murky nights and we did not occupy ourselves with
anything but see to it that the natives swept off the roofs
the large quantities of ashes and stones which kept on
accumulating upon them and threatened to bring them down upon
us, burying us alive beneath their weight. But fearing that
even these precautions might prove unavailing, we 3 Europeans
- viz. Fr. Prior, the Alcalde, and myself - the only ones who
were at the time in the Convento of Caysasay, took refuge on
the landing of the stairs; as the safest place, and awaited
there whatever God might dispose with regard to us. To all
this was added incessant thunder and lightning, and it really
looked as if the world was going to pieces and its axis hadbeen displaced.
Black airfall tephra of the 1754
eruption.
Foto: I.v.d.Zander
During the night of the 30th we had not a moment of
repose, as every moment we heard the loud crush of
houses collapsing under of stones, mud, and ashes
piled upon them, and feared that the turn of the
convento and the church of Casasay would come in
next. Shortly before daybreak of december 1 there
was a tremendous crash as if the house were coming
down on our heads: the roof of the apsis of the
chruch had caved in! Not long afterward, the roof
of ther kitchen gave away with a thud. Both were
tile roofs.
The first of December broke somewhat clear and our
eyes contemplated everywhere ruins and destruction.
The layer of ashes and mud was more than 5 spans
[1.10 m] thick, and it was almost a miracle that
the roof of the church and convento sustained so
great a weight. We caused the bulk of the material
to be removed, while new continued to fall on that
day and the following, on whichlatter the direction
of the wind changed, carrying the ejecta toward
Balayan. On the 3rd and 4th we had a formidable
typhoon, and thereafter the volcano quieted down.
Soon afterward I resolved to visit my town of Taal; nothing was left of it
except the walls of the church and convento. All the rest, the governmenthouse, the walks of the rope factory, the warehouse, everything was burried
beneath a layer of stones, mud, and ashes more than 10 spans [2.20 m] thick;
only here and there could be seen an upright post, the only remnant of a
comfortable dwelling. I went downb to the river and found it completely
filled up, with a boat belonging to the alcalde and many of private persons
burried in the mud. After incredible efforts I finally succeeded in
unearthing in what had once been the church and sacristy, the chests which
contained the sacred vestments and vessels. Nearly all of them were
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demoloished by the rocks and beams which had fallenupon them, and filled with
foul-smelling mud that had ruined or disfigued their contents. With the aid
of some natives of Bauang I likewise recovered some property from among the
ruins of the convento.
Twelve persons are known to have perished - some carried away by the waves of
the lake, others crushed beneath their collapsing houses. Thus the beautifultown of Taal remains a deserted wilderness and reduced to the utmost misery,
while once it was one of the richest and most flourishing places. In the
villages to the west of the lake, which were the greater and better part, all
the houses have either collapsed under the load of material which had been
piled upon them or have diappeared completely, swept away by the waves which
in these places were so violent that they dug three ditches or channels, too
wide and deep to be forded, and thus rendered impassable the road which joins
the town with Balayan. In other parts of the lake shore have likewise opened
manycracks and occurred very extensive slides. The worst of all is, that, the
mounth of the river Pansipit having been blocked, the lake is rising and
invading the towns of Lipa and Tanauan, both being on the lowest level, and
inundating their buildings. All the animals of whatever kind have perished,
some by being burried, others by drowning, the rest by starving, as not a
green blade remained anywhere.
The same fate as Taal has befallen the towns of Lipa, Tanauan, and so much of
Sala as still existed. These towns, together with Taal, lay around the lake,
being situated within easy reach of it, and less than one league [4
kilometers] from the volcano. The bulk of the population left this
neighbourhood and settled in more distant places. Thus out of 1200 taxpayers
whom Taal contained formerly, hardly 150 remain in the poorest and least
respectable villages, which suffered little from the rain of ashes.
Thus far good Fr. Buencuchillo. The towns of Taal, Lipa, and Tanauan were on this occasion
definitively transferred to their present sites, a measure , the great prudence of which has been
shown by subsequent eruptions.[note by the author of this site: the story of the towns that wererelocated as a consequence of Taal's activities has been traced by Thomas Hargrove in this
bookThe Mysteries of Taal. The relocation of Tauan, Taal, Lipa and Sala is obvious from a
comparison of the 1734 Murillo Velarde map (left) and the 1911 map of Saderra Maso (right).
http://www.agcomintl.com/book3.htmhttp://www.agcomintl.com/book3.htmhttp://www.agcomintl.com/book3.htmhttp://www.agcomintl.com/book3.htm -
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1808 After 1754 the volcano had no notable eruption untill the middle of march,1808. Although this outburst failed to reach either the magnitude or the
duration of the preceding, it, nevertheless, proved disastrous to the
neighbouring towns owing to the quantity of ashes and pumice stone ejected
on the occasion. In the more immediate vicinity of the volcano there wereplaces where the ground was covered with ashes to a depth exceeding 84
centimeters, and in more distant localities the fall was proportionally heavy.
According to an author who, however, visited the volcano for the first time aslate as 1849, this eruption profoundly modified the principal crater. He says:
Formerly the depth seemed immense and unfathomable, and at the
bottom was seen a liquid mass in continual ebullition. After
the eruption the whole aspect was changed; the crater had
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widened, the pond within it had been reduced to one-third and
the rest of the crater floor is dry enough to walk over it.
Besides, there has formed on the enlarged floor a little hill
whose top continually emits smoke, while at the side of this
elevation there are seen several wells, one of which is
especially remarkable for its size and the material which it
contains. The fire causes the latter to rise to a certain
height at regular intervals while a monotonous sound is heard.
It would seem that the eruptions issue from this hole. The
height of the crater walls has diminished and will continue to
decrease from day to day, owing to the rains which
disintegrate them.
The great change which the crater underwent on the occasion of the eruptionof 1808, may be inferred likewise from the description given in his work "El
Estadismo Filipino" by Fr. Zuniga, an Augustinian, who had visited the
volcano in 1800. Speaking of the impression received when he had reached
the brink of the crater, he says:
We expected to find a deep abyss into which penetrated so
little light that it would hardly permit us to distinguish
what was in the interior; when in reality we saw a vast
opening of more than one league in circumference, and at the
bottom of it a lake only a little smaller, as all its borders
looked as if cut with a knife, descending well-nigh
perpendicularly to the water which was of a deep-green color.
1874 On July 19, 1874, took place an eruption of gases and ashes which killed all
the live stock which was being raised on Volcano Island and withered or
burned the entire vegetation on the western slopes of the crater.
1878 From the end of October until November 12, 1878, noises were frequently
heard proceeding from the volcano which finally, from November 12 to 15,ejected a quantity of ashes sufficient to cover the entire island.
1904 During April, 1904, it was reported that Taal was in eruption. In fact, a new
crater or outlet was found to have formed near the southeastern inner wall ofthe principal crater. During several months this new opening continued to
emit great masses of vapors and, intermittently, also mud and rocks, up to a
height of 150 meters. As there usually prevailed atmospheric calm during
these eruptions, nearly all the ejecta fell either within the principal crater oron its southeastern and southern slopes. In December, 1904, the floor of the
new crater was occupied by a pond of boiling water, which had completely
disappeared in 1907, leaving only an oval depression at the muddy bottom of
which were a few outlets for gases.
Taal Volcano
Taal Volcano, one of the world's lowest volcanoes, is an island located near the center
of Taal Lake in Batangas Province. Its highest point, 311m . Above sea level, is on the
eastern rim of the main crater.
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Covering an area of 23 sq. km., the Volcano Island is surrounded by a fresh body of
water, about two meters above sea level and 127 sq. km. in area. Taal Lake is known
to have originated from the collapse of pre-historic volcanic centers. The underwater
topography suggests the presence of about 35 different submerged volcanic
landforms.
Taal Volcano is a tuff cone. The rock formation consists of moderately consolidated
ash beds with varying amounts of coarser fragments. Composed of at least 35 cones
coalesced by several eruptions, Taal has about 47 craters or depressions formed either
by direct explosive eruptions or by collapse or ground subsience.
The 35 identified cones were formed by different type of volcanic processes: base
surges (rapidly moving mixtures of volcanic debris and steam), airfalls and effusion of
lava. Twenty-six of these cones are tuff cones, five are cinder cones and four are
maars (shallow to deep circular depressions of volcanic origin).
The Main Crater occupies the central portion of the Volcano Island. Twelve of Taal
Volcano's eruptions occured at this crater from 1749 to 1911. There are five other
major eruption centers, namely: Binintiang Malaki, Binintiang Munti, Pira-0piraso,
Calauit and Mt. Tabaro Eruption Site.
To date, Taal Volcano, has had 33 recorded eruption since its first known outburst in
1572. Its most catastrophic eruptions occured in 1754 and 1911. In 1754, the towns of
Sala, Lipa, Tanauan, and Taal, then on the borders of Lake Taal, were destroyed and
were subsequently relocated to their present sites. The 1911 eruption completely
devastated the whole Volcano Island and claimed a toll of 1,034 lives. Ashes spewedout by the volcano reached as far as Manila and covered an area of 2,000 sq. km.
Based on Taal Volcano's morphological features, it can be deduced that most of its
eruptions were either Phreatic or Phreatomagmatic. Ground water and mobile magma
may have either separately or jointly played the pricipal role in determining the nature
of Taal eruptions. The 1968 and 1969 activities were, however, characterized as
Strombolian with lava fountaining from several active vents and the effussion of
molten rocks at the base of crater.
Despite the hazards posed by the volcano, Taal Volcano Island has been attractingmigrants because of its fertile soil and rich fishing grounds. Lake Taal is known for
several varieties of milkfish, carps, maliputo and tawilis.
The island had a population of more than 5,000 in 1990.
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Surface area 234.2 km2
(90.4 sq mi)
Shore length1 115 km (71 mi)
Surface
elevation
5 m (16 ft)
Islands Volcano Island
Settlements Talisay,San Nicolas,Lipa City,Laurel,Tanauan
City, Santa Teresita,Mataas na
Kahoy,Balete,Cuenca,Alitagtag, andAgoncillo
1Shore length isnot a well-defined measure.
Not to be confused withLake TaalinInner MongoliainChina.
Taal Lake is afreshwaterlake in theprovinceofBatangas, on the island ofLuzonin thePhilippines. The lake
fills Taal Caldera, a large volcaniccalderaformed by very largeeruptionsbetween 500,000 and 100,000 years
ago. It is the country's thi
