Taal (Philippines)

Status Unrest Eruption 2020 311m
Caldera (Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km))

Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has produced some of its most powerful historical eruptions. Though not topographically prominent, its prehistorical eruptions have greatly changed the landscape of SW Luzon. The 15 x 20 km Talisay (Taal) caldera is largely filled by Lake Taal, whose 267 km2 surface lies only 3 m above sea level. The maximum depth of the lake is 160 m, and several eruptive centers lie submerged beneath the lake. The 5-km-wide Volcano Island in north-central Lake Taal is the location of all historical eruptions. The island is composed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones that have grown about 25% in area during historical time. Powerful pyroclastic flows and surges from historical eruptions have caused many fatalities.

Taal caldera, seen here from its NW rim, is a 15 x 20 km caldera of Pleistocene and Holocene age. Volcano Island, in the north-central part of Lake Taal, has been the site of all historical eruptions at Taal volcano. The island is constructed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones. Powerful phreatomagmatic explosive eruptions have occurred from several locations on the 5-km-wide Volcano Island and have produced pyroclastic surges that have made Taal the most deadly volcano of the Philippines.

Photo by Chris Newhall, 1978 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Last updated 2022-03-26 14:00:03