The Year 2020 started with a bang – rather, a blast – as the Taal volcano situated on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, roughly 50 kilometers from Manila, erupted on January 12. This volcanic eruption and its repercussions have caught the attention of the global population.
The Classification of Taal Volcano
Taal is classified as a “complex” volcano by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). Complex volcanoes are otherwise known as compound volcanoes. Unlike regular volcanoes that consist of a single vent or cone, complex volcanoes have several eruption points. The Mount Vesuvius on the west coast of Italy represents another example of this type of volcanic structure.
Complex volcanoes are a source of fascination for volcanologists due to their intricate nature and diverse eruptive behaviors. They typically have a large-scale structure formed over hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of years and their eruptive history usually involves a combination of explosive and effusive eruptions from multiple vents.
The Unpredictable Nature of Taal Volcano
The history of Taal’s eruptions also contributes to its complex classification. The Taal volcano has, historically, been highly active, erupting over 30 times in the past couple of centuries. Its most recent eruption prior to 2020 was in 1977. The unpredictability of its eruptions is a matter of concern.
The Philippines’ location, being situated at the boundaries of two tectonic plates – the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate – makes it inherently susceptible to both earthquakes and volcanism. Tectonic activity goes hand-in-hand with edge-of-your-seat seismic excitement.
| Number of Eruptions in Past Centuries | Most Recent Eruption Before 2020 | Location of Taal Volcano | Type of Volcano |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 30 | 1977 | Island of Luzon, Philippines | Complex/Compound |
Insights from the Source: IE
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