Taal Volcano in the Philippines, known as the world’s smallest active volcano, has recently formed a new geyser emitting from the volcano’s vent on crater Island. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and…
Taal Volcano in the Philippines, known as the world’s smallest active volcano, has recently formed a new geyser emitting from the volcano’s vent on crater Island. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) says a full-scale eruption is not expected, but placed the volcano on an “alert level 1” or low level unrest, urging visitors to keep a safe distance from the danger zone. Additional seismographs were installed to monitor water level, temperature and water chemistry in the volcano.
Several unique features have made picture-postcard Taal Volcano a premier tourism attraction. Most notably, Taal Volcano is an island on a lake, which exists within a larger island, which is itself surrounded by a lake about 30 miles south of Manila in Luzon – an island itself. What makes this volcano even more novel is the fact that the volcano contains a lake of its own within its crater known as Crater Lake.
Prior to the raised alert level, vacationers could actually swim within Crater Lake, though it is suggested not to stay in too long as the water contains trace amounts of sulfuric acid with concentrations of boron, magnesium, aluminum and sodium. The first recorded scuba dive inside the crater was made in 1986 by an American team led by Thomas Hargrove to a depth of about 20 meters. The team also explored a tiny island within Crater Lake.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) strongly recommends that visitors intent on seeing Taal Volcano do so from afar, maintaining a safe distance from the danger zone at all times.
One can witness the splendor of Taal Volcano with a panoramic view from the Tagaytay ridge, which is 2,700 feet above sea level and boasts of cool, invigorating weather. Currently, authorities recommend visitors experience the volcano from this area
Taal Volcano’s last deadly eruption occurred in 1965.
