Taal Volcano, in the Philippines,  was originally   a huge volcano, that towered 18,000 feet up into the sky. It has been called the smallest active volcano, because it seems small now, but many people don't realize that it is one of the largest volcanoes in the world.  It is located about 70-km south of Manila on "volcano island" inside a lake called Taal Lake, or Lake Taal.

 

Taal as the Decade Volcano for the Philippines Thirty three eruptions have been recorded since 1572 at Taal, mostly on Volcano Island. The impacts of these eruptions were largely confined to the intracaldera area. Occasional violent activity, however, such as the 1754 plinian eruption, affected the entire region, including what is now the Metro Manila area with fallout.

 

Some activity, such as the 1749 eruption, were accompanied by crustal disturbance and strong earthquakes, which generated ground fissures and pronounced subsidence that extended across Taal Lake. 

 

The caldera has a long, but little known history of catastrophic explosive volcanism affecting much larger areas, including the Metro Manila area. The eruptions, one to two orders of magnitude larger and more devastating than those of Mount Pinatubo, have deposited massive ignimbrites, including the deposits of turbulent pyroclastic flows, and widespread tephra fall units in recent geologic time.

 

Accompanying this volcanism has been extensive volcaniclastic sedimentation, dominated by deposition of hyperconcentrated streamflows and lahars in low-lying subaerial and shallow marine environments.

 

 

 

 

What makes Taal Volcano more unique is the fact that the volcano itself has a lake of its own inside its crater which is called the "Crater Lake." Taal Lake itself, has a sulfur content that is higher than normal, and it is good for swimming.

 

It believe the low sulfur content is good for the skin, especially if you swim in it regularly. The fish are certainly healthy! (the tilapia is really inexpensive too! Its excellent, and it can be cooked for you, or you can cook it yourself on a grill at Taal Lake Yacht Club, but please tell us beforehand if you want this.)

 

Crater Lake Resort offers adventurers the unique thrill of exploring nature and experiencing the attractions of the world's smallest active volcano. There are a host of activities that can be enjoyed on the island. Among them are rides on horseback to the inner lake, trekking, camping, and kayaking.

The resort is only one boat ride away from the shores of Talisay, Batangas. Complete day tour accomodations and amenities are available on-site.

 

The resort offers a unique twist to the usual island experience. It is home to many species of birds and fish including the rare maliputo, which is a kind of fresh water mackerel that can be found in the waters around volcano island. 

 

 

 

Within the island are four craters. The main crater is in the center of the island while the dormant volcano crater can be seen at the edge of the island. The third and fourth craters are called “Twin Craters” which were formed during the eruption of 1965. 

 

 

The volcano island can be reached by taking a half-hour boat ride from practically any town on the the shores of Taal Lake.  The more popular jumpoff point is from the town of Talisay.  Mostly chose to start from the town of San Nicolas because we heard that, due of its remoteness from Manila, less people take this route, thus making it less crowded, and boats can be hired at much cheaper rates from this town.