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Journey To Taal Volcano, Part 1

Home > The World > Adventure | Escape the City | Island Hopping | Outdoor | Parks
by Miyan (subscribe)
I'm a a part-time vocal coach and a mom of three lovely kids. I have a passion in writing besides music and languages.
Published January 3rd 2013
Small but terrible volcano in the Philippines

The smallest active volcano in the world is located 45 - 60 minutes away by car (depending on the traffic situation) from where I grew up as a child. Although I have viewed the volcano from different vantage points of my town which is Batangas, I have not physically been to the island until the time of writing this article.

I will be sharing the experience of my journey to Taal Volcano, giving information on the tour rates, tips on how to make the trip worthwhile, what to expect, and some stories from the locals.

But first, here are some facts about Taal Volcano. The major eruptions of Taal volcano in the years 1754, 1911, and between 1965 to 1977 resulted to the formation of Lake Taal, Vulcan Point, and Binintiang Malaki. The latter has always been confused as the Taal Volcano, when in fact, the whole island is the volcano itself with several eruptive centers. Since 1572, the Taal Volcano has erupted 33 times from 33 different eruptive centers.

Lake Taal is a fresh water lake occupying a caldera that has been formed by major eruptions mentioned above.
Taal Volcano, Smallest volcano, Active volcano
view of Lake Taal from the base of Volcano Island


Later eruptions after the formation of the caldera led to a new formation of an island within the caldera. This is called the Volcano Island where I horse-back ride to get to the main crater of Taal Volcano.
Volcano Island, Taal Volcano, Smallest volcano, active volcano
Scenery on Volcano Island


In the Volcano Island lies the main crater with a small lake, thus called the Crater Lake.
Crater Lake, Taal Volcano, Smallest volcano, Most active volcano
A photo of myself sitting on the rim above the Crater Lake


Within the Crater Lake protrudes a rock called the Vulcan Point. Vulcan Point is known as the "world's largest island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island". Allow me to articulate that with the names: World's largest island (Vulcan Point) within a lake (Crater Lake) on an island (Volcano Island) within a lake (Lake Taal) on an island (Taal Volcano).
Vulcan Point,Taal Volcano, Smallest volcano, Active volcano
Vulcan Point within the Crater lake within the Volcano Island


Another formation that resulted from major eruptions of Taal Volcano is the Binintiang Malaki. It is a dormant volcano that is most photographed by tourists and mostly pictured in post cards. Thus, Binintiang Malaki is usually mistaken for Taal Volcano. But as mentioned previously, the whole island is Taal Volcano. This means that Binintiang Malaki is a part of Taal Volcano.
Binintiang Malaki, Taal Volcano, Smallest Volcano, Active Volcano
Binintiang Malaki taken from Lake Taal


I hope I have made a clear description of Taal Volcano. In Part 2 of this article I will narrate the journey itself.
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Why? Learn about the smallest, active volcano in the world
Where: Philippines
Your Comment
Wow this place looks really interesting will have to put it on my list of things to do :)
by Camille (score: 2|323) 3810 days ago
I will definitely visit Taal Volcano when I visit Philippines this year.
by ayjes (score: 0|5) 3810 days ago
Hope you can visit the other side too, at the Calauit side, the trail is quite different and you can see Mt. MAkulot and what they call puntor which is a potential site for eruption that is still under water. By the way, there seems to be no proof that this is the smallest active volcano, no one really knows where that came from or what is actually measured when people say that. Please visithttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Taal-Volcano-Protected-Landscape/110515542318482
by ipatl (score: 0|3) 3813 days ago
Hi, thanks for your comment. There is the Cuexcomate volcano in Puebla Mexico that is also claimed as the smallest volcano in the world. But apparently, Taal volcano is known as the smallest, active volcano in the world. You can get more info from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology athttp://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/ I found the bulletin very interesting as it shows the record of earthquakes that occur everyday. Taal volcano is still in Alert Level Number 1 as I write this reply.

Visited yout recommended facebook and liked it. Lots of nice photos there and interesting exchange of comments.
by Miyan (score: 2|169) 3813 days ago
I have done a Hash House Harriers run/ walk on the island. Extreme in hot weather, beautiful and exotic terrain and friendly people. A once in a lifetime ticked of the bucket list.
by becky (score: 0|4) 2905 days ago
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