Thursday, October 09, 2025

What is the strongest volcanic eruption in the Philippines?

It depends on the timeline in modern times it's Pinatubo's 1991 VEI=6 eruption

(The start of the climactic eruption during the early hours of Black Saturday June 15th 1991 Photo from Clark Air Base)

Closely behind is Taal's legendary 200 day eruption in May to December 1754. (VEI=5)

(Taal during her most recent big eruption in 2020 VEI=4)

3rd is the December 26th 1640 to January 4th 1641 eruption of Mt. Melibengoy (formerly Mount Parker) in South Catobato (VEI=5) creating her famous crater lake

In prehistoric times however, Taal rules them all. In a very recent study conducted by the University of Leincester in 2022 they have discovered that the previous estimate of Taal eruptions has been underevaluated by previous studies at the volcano. More evidences from the study has found out that Taal's eruptions in the past is way bigger than expected.

(A diagram of the Taal Caldera and it's nearby towns)

The Pasong Fluidal Juvenile Bomb-Rich Ignimbrite Formation (previously named SPF 1 & 2) (SPF meaning Scoria Pyroclastic Flow) located from all over Taal Lake up to Metro Manila is a Basaltic-Andesite formation with a maximum thickness of 45m on Tagaytay Ridge

Was created by an eruption during 5380 BCE. This eruption was previously estimated to have released only 50km³ of Bulk Tephra which equates to around 31km³ DRE (Dense Rock Equivalent). The new evidence however has estimated the volume of the Pasong eruption to be 150km³ of Bulk Tephra released which equates to 90km³ of DRE a VEI=7 eruption.

In total all Taal has 7 possible caldera forming eruptions during her past each of these was either 5 times to 10 times larger than the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Taal should be studied further as the current evidence places her in the consideration of future super-eruptions.

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