Article by Alex Lauricio

Volcanoes are windows to nature’s prowess — beauty and ferocity go hand-in-hand as magma violently escapes from the Earth’s crust, yet the aftermath of these eruptions are stunning landscapes such as the likes of Mayon or Taal, which are prominent names that come up in Philippine volcanology. Presently, they are both showing signs of activity, and are being heavily monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Volcanic Landscapes

Mt. Mayon is true to its name — hailing from the Bicolano word “magayon” meaning beautiful, the volcanic mountain is celebrated as one of the most symmetrical volcanoes in the world — with gentle slopes all around the rim of the volcanic mountain. The summit crater or the opening of Mayon stands tall at a height of 2,463 meters, and is commonly seen scraping the sky for clouds.

Owing itself to be the most active volcano in the Philippines, its recorded 52 eruptions from the past 500 years have rained ash and outpoured magma in the countryside, rendering the land fertile for farming and other agricultural activities. It was declared as a Natural Park in 1938. Mt. Mayon is featured in the 100-peso bill, showcasing the beauty of Bicol and its surrounding regions.

Taal, on the other hand, is commonly mistaken as the small, cinder cone-like volcano advertised in tourist packages; however, it is really a caldera — a type of volcano with a large cauldron-like structure, with a deep depression caused by the collapse of a magma chamber underneath. Taal in its entirety is 18 miles long, with the lake only being the 16-mile mark. Two miles extend beyond the lake, which showcases how massive Taal is. 

There are many conflicting sources regarding Taal’s name. Some say that it is from the palm trees located around the volcanic island; the Department of Education (DepEd) released a folkloric origin of Taal’s name, citing that it was originally “Taad.” Historically, former president Elpidio Quirino said that Taal was an old Tagalog term to mean “pure.”

Regardless of its name’s origin, Taal is certainly rich in biodiversity and history; in 1754, the lakeside towns of Taal — Bauan, Lipa, Sala, and Tanauan — were driven to evacuation and permanent relocation following an eruption that happened in the same year. One reptilian water snake species and the only living freshwater sardine species in the world are also endemic to Taal lake’s rich waters, thanks to the supply of minerals from the volcano.

As explosive as they are stunning, they remind us to appreciate nature for what it is — beautiful and ferocious. Presently, these two volcanoes are being actively monitored by government LGUs in the surrounding vicinity, assisted by PHIVOLCS, as volcanic activity is on the rise. With some schools announcing class suspensions, the citizens of the affected regions are reminded to stay vigilant and to remain alert for further government instructions.