Location

North central part of Negros Island Philippines

Geographic Coordinates

Approximately 10.4°N, 123.1°E

Type

Stratovolcano large, steep sided volcano built by many layers of hardened lava, tephr & volcanic ash

Volcanic Arc/Belt

Part of Negros Volcanic Belt situated within Pacific Ring of Fire

Elevation

2,465 meters (8,087 feet) above sea level

Crater Structure

Elongated northern caldera with a crater lake
Smaller, but higher active crater to south

Volcanic Composition

Sheeted lava flows, lahar deposits, airfall tephra & pyroclastic aprons from past eruptions

Crater Dimensions

Active southern crater: ~2 km wide
Northern caldera: broader containing a seasonal lake

Volcanic Features

Multiple pyroclastic cones, volcanic domes & craters within & around summit

Biological Significance

Rich biodiversity hotspot
Hosts endemic species of flora & fauna
Protected area as a Natural Park

Hydrological Importance

Source of major rivers including Bago & Magballo
Provides watershed services for Negros Island

Eruption Style

Typically phreatic explosions (steam-driven), sometimes Strombolian

Historical Eruptions

Recorded since 1866; eruptions generally involve ash clouds & minor ashfall

Recent Eruptions

December 2024
April 2, 2025 (ash plume 4 km high, Alert Level 3)

Hazards

Ashfall, lahars, pyroclastic flows, volcanic gases, potential lava fountaining

Nearby Populations

Towns & villages within 4–6 km danger zone; periodic evacuations

Monitoring Agency

PHIVOLCS Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology

Protected Status

Designated as part of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP)

Mayon

Albay, Luzon

2,462

2023

Taal

Batangas, Luzon

311

2022

Kanlaon

Negros Island

2,465

2025

Bulusan

Sorsogon, Luzon

1,565

2022

Hibok-Hibok

Camiguin Island

1,332

1952

Smith Volcano

Babuyan Islands

688

1924

Babuyan Claro

Babuyan Islands

1,000

1860

Didicas

Cagayan

244

1978

Cagua

Cagayan

1,133

1860

Iraya

Batanes

1,009

~1454

Pinatubo

Zambales

1,486

1991

Arayat

Pampanga

1,026

Unconfirmed

Makaturing

Lanao del Sur

1,940

1882

Matutum

South Cotabato

2,286

1911

Parker

South Cotabato

1,824

1641

Ragang

Lanao del Sur

2,815

1916

Apo

Davao

2,954

Fumarolic

Musuan

Bukidnon

646

1886

Biliran

Biliran Island

1,340

1939

Leonard Kniaseff

Davao del Norte

1,190

120 AD (est.)

Malindang

Misamis Occidental

2,404

Unknown

Cuernos de Negros

Negros Island

1,186

Unknown

Mandalagan

Negros Island

1,885

Unknown

Latukan

Lanao del Sur

2,280

Unknown

0

Normal No volcanic activity

No action needed

1

Low level unrest

Entry into permanent danger zone not advised

2

Increasing unrest

Evacuation of danger zone recommended

3

Increased tendency toward hazardous eruption

High alert, evacuation within 6 km radius

4

Hazardous eruption imminent

Full evacuation, emergency measures in place

5

Hazardous eruption in progress

Catastrophic situation – all mitigation & emergency responses active

Full Name

Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology

Parent Organization

Department of Science & Technology (DOST)

Headquarters

Quezon City, Philippines

Functions

Monitoring volcanoes, earthquakes & tsunamis in Philippines

Tools Used

Seismic sensors, satellite imagery, drone surveys, gas emission tools

Key Programs

Volcano Alert System, Earthquake Monitoring, Hazard Mapping

Public Communication

Alert Bulletins, Risk Advisories, Evacuation Warnings

International Cooperation

With USGS, JMA (Japan) & global volcano research bodies

Andean Volcanic Belt

Along western edge of South America (Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina)

Formed due to subduction of Nazca Plate beneath South American Plate

Cotopaxi, Ojos del Salado, Llaima, Villarrica

Central American Volcanic Arc

Southern Mexico through Central America

Result of Cocos Plate subducting beneath Caribbean Plate

Fuego, Arenal, Pacaya, Momotombo

Cascadia Volcanic Arc

Pacific Northwest of USA & Canada

Caused by Juan de Fuca Plate subducting under North American Plate

Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Hood

Alaska-Aleutian Volcanic Arc

Alaska & Aleutian Islands

Created by Pacific Plate subducting under North American Plate

Mount Redoubt, Mount Shishaldin, Mount Katmai

Kuril–Kamchatka Arc

Russian Far East (Kuril Islands to Kamchatka Peninsula)

Subduction of Pacific Plate beneath Okhotsk Plate

Klyuchevskoy, Shiveluch, Bezymianny

Japan Arc

Japanese islands

Formed by subduction of Pacific & Philippine Sea Plates under Eurasian Plate

Mount Fuji, Sakurajima, Aso

Ryukyu Arc

Southern Japan to Taiwan

Result of Philippine Sea Plate subducting under Eurasian Plate

Suwanosejima, Iriomote, Kikai

Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc

South of Japan to Micronesia

Formed by Pacific Plate subducting under Philippine Sea Plate

Mount Pagan, Agrihan, Anatahan

Philippine Volcanic Arc

Philippines

Due to multiple plate interactions (Philippine Sea, Eurasian, Pacific plates)

Mayon, Taal, Mount Kanlaon

Sunda Arc (Indonesia)

Indonesia & part of Southeast Asia

Created by Indo-Australian Plate subducting beneath Eurasian Plate

Mount Merapi, Krakatoa, Mount Tambora

New Guinea–Solomon Arc

Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands

Formed by complex microplate & subduction dynamics

Ulawun, Manam, Bagana

Tonga–Kermadec Arc

Tonga & Kermadec Islands

Subduction of Pacific Plate under Indo-Australian Plate

Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai, Monowai

New Zealand Volcanic Zone

North Island of New Zealand

Includes Taupo Volcanic Zone, formed by subduction of Pacific Plate

Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro, White Island (Whakaari)

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss tectonic settings of Pacific Ring of Fire & examine how they contribute to distribution of active volcanoes & seismic activity around Pacific Ocean basin.