Cover Mayon Lava Flows (Photo: Dinno Sandoval/GettyImages)
Mayon Lava Flows (Photo: Dinno Sandoval/GettyImages)
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As part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, keeping an eye out for these active volcanoes seems like a no-brainer
Following the eruption of Mount Ruang in the North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia, it’s terrifying to think about the other active volcanoes in Southeast Asia. With around 750 active and potentially active volcanoes in our region, one eruption in a neighbouring country could spell disaster—whether through ashfall, earthquakes, or tsunamis. Our best course of action as citizens is to stay informed about nearby hazards and know what to do in the event of an emergency.
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Mayon Volcano, Philippines
Dubbed the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of its symmetry, the Mayon Volcano exhibited a phreatic eruption last February. While no magma rose from the peak, the event generated a loud boom and a 1,200-metre-tall plume. Beautiful as it is deadly, it’s the most active volcano in the Philippines and one of the most active in the world, having erupted over 51 times in the past 400 years.
Mount Marapi, Indonesia
Situated in the West Sumatra province of Indonesia, Mount Marapi is 2,885 metres tall. In January, the volcano erupted, with ash rising 1,300 metres from the peak, prompting an evacuation within 4.5 kilometres of the centre.
Mount Ruang, Indonesia
Mount Ruang is the southernmost stratovolcano in the Sangihe Islands arc in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It stands 725 metres high. Tensions are high as more than 11,000 people have been evacuated, and air travel has been suspended after its eruption. Officials have raised the volcano alert to its highest level as they fear the worst—a potential tsunami.
See also: Taal status 2024: Phreatic eruptions, alert levels, and more
Mount Merapi, Indonesia
Located 32 kilometres north of Yogyakarta, Mount Merapi—translating to Mountain of Fire—stands at 2,911 metres above sea level and is considered to be the most active of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes. Its most recent eruption was in January 2024, prompting 6,500 people to leave their homes.
Taal Volcano, Philippines
Regarded as the smallest volcano in the world, the Taal Volcano stands at less than 3 metres above sea level with an elevation of 311 metres. The volcano erupted in 2020 right before the pandemic and launched ash that reached Metro Manila. Most recently, five phreatic eruptions occurred, which generated a white plume that was 2,400 metres high.
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Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
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