TOP 10 ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN THE PHILIPPINES

1.) Mount Mayon – Albay

Mount Mayon, one of the most impressive Philippine landmarks, with an elevation of 2,462 meters is the most active volcano in the Philippines. Based on recorded history of the country, this almost perfect cone volcano in Albay erupted at least 50 times from 1616 up to present. One of the most remarkable and most devastating eruptions of Mount Mayon was its eruption in 1766 that erased the town of Cagsawa in the Philippine map. Only the bell tower of Cagsawa Church remained above the new surface. Its last eruption was in January 2010.

2.) Taal Volcano – Batangas

Taal Volcano, situated within Taal Lake, has always been known to be one of the most active volcanoes in the country and in fact tagged as the world’s most active smallest volcano. This volcano located in Batangas province had erupted 33 times from 1572 to present. Its last eruption occurred in July 2009 and is currently closely monitored for its abnormal activities which may result to another eruption of this small but very active volcano. It has an elevation of 400 meters.

3.) Mount Kanlaon – Negros Oriental

With an elevation of 2.435 meters, one of the most active Philippine volcanoes is Mount Kanlaon or Kanlaon Volcano. It had erupted at least 25 times already from 1886 up to present. It last major eruption happened in 1996 and had been permanently monitored since then,

4.) Mount Bulusan – Sorsogon

This volcano with an elevation of 1,565 meters had erupted 15 times already from 1886 up to 2007. It has been closely monitored since its last eruption in 2007. This active volcano is located in the so-called “little Switzerland of the Philippines” – the province of Sorsogon.

5.) Mount Makaturing – Lanao del Sur

Not as popular as the Taal and Mayon volcanoes but Mount Makaturing, one of the ‘top ten highest mountains in the Philippines’, is also one of the most active volcanoes in the country. It has an elevation of 1,940 meters and had erupted 10 times since 1882.

6.  a) Musuan Volcano – Bukidnon

Another not-so-famous volcano is Musuan Volcano located in the province of Bukidnon. With an elevation of 646 meters only, it is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and had erupted 8 times in a span of 21 years from 1866 to 1887. Its last threatening activity of strong seismic swarm occurred in 1976 but has not erupted since then.

b) Mount Ragang – Lanao del Sur

Mount Ragang in Lanao del Sur, which is another tall mountain in the Philippines, is another active volcano that had erupted 8 times and tied with Musuan Volcano as the countries 6th most active volcano. Its last recorded eruption happened in 1916 or 94 years ago.

7. a) Didicas Volcano – Cagayan

One of the smallest and most active volcanoes in the Philippines is Dicicas Volcano located in Cagayan province. With an elevation of 244 meters only it had already erupted 7 times from 1773 up to 1990.

b) Hibok-Hibok – Camiguin

Mount Hibok-Hibok, one of the most popular volcanoes in the Philippines, had already erupted 7 times since the recorded history of the Philippines. With an elevation of 1,552 meters, this volcano’s first recorded eruption was in 1827 and the last was in 1952. It is tied with Didicas as the 7th most active volcanoes in the Philippines.

8.) Smith Volcano – Cagayan

Mount Smith in Cagayan province with an elevation of 688 meters above sea level had erupted 6 times already and the last known eruption of this active Philippine volcano was recorded in 1924. This beautiful volcano is also known as Mount Babuyan.

9. a) Babuyan Claro – Cagayan

Babuyan claro, an active volcano in Cagayan province, has an elevation of 1,080 meters above sea level. It erupted in 1831, 1860, 1913 and its last eruption was in 1917.

b) Mount Banahaw – Quezon

Tied at 8th place as the most active volcanoes in the Philippines is Mount Banahaw in Quezon province. It has an elevation of 2,158 meters and had erupted 4 times since 1730 up to 1909. The mountain is considered 'sacred' by the residents of the area.

10. a) Dequey – Batanes

Dequey Volcano, an underwater volcano, is located in the smallest province of the Philippines – Batanes. With an elevation of -24 meters above sea level, it has been known to have erupted 3 times - 1773, 1850 and 1854. It is considered as Philippine most active undersea volcano.

b.) Mount Parker – Cotabato

And for the last spot as the Philippines most active volcanoes is Mount Parker, an active volcano located in Cotabato. With an elevation of 1,824, its earliest known recorded eruption occurred in 1800 BCE and its last major eruption was in 1641.

c.) Mount Pinatubo

Mount Pinatubo, which is located in the province of Zambales in Central Luzon, was reawakened in 1991 producing the 2nd largest eruption in the 20th century. Two milder eruptions followed in 1992 and 1993. Its last eruption prior to 1991 is unknown. It has an elevation of 1,486 meters.