Is Mt. Isarog an active volcano?
The Bulkan Ng Bikol had its stop in Albay last week for Mt. Mayon. Today we head to Camarines Sur’s highest peak, Mt. Isarog.
Rising at 1,966 meters, Mt. Isarog is part of the Bicol Volcanic Arc occupying the narrow strip of land between Lagonoy Gulf and San Miguel Bay. It is likewise surrounded by different towns of Naga City, Pili, Ocampo, Tigaon, Goa, Tinambac, and Calabanga.
Many might believe that Isarog is an inactive volcano. However, the latest known eruption of Mt. Isarog occurred sometime between 1050 and 1200 AD (TJ Daita et al, ongoing research). Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has classified Isarog volcano as active, meaning it has erupted within historical times (within the last 600 years), accounts of these eruptions were documented by man erupted within the last 10,000 years based on the analyses of material from young volcanic deposits.
Mt. Isarog was declared a Natural Park through Proclamation No. 214, s. 2002 consisting of 10,112 hectares of a protected area and home to diverse species of plants and animals.
Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in Bicol, Isarog became home to the ethnolinguistic group Agta, who were its first inhabitants. They were also the first devotees of Our Lady of Peñafrancia but resisted Spanish colonization and sought refuge here.
Do you want to learn how volcanoes were formed in Bicol? You may access our previous post here: bit.ly/3PE0d9j.
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