Page 217 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

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the main targets of the recently founded Mayon Trail from the north-west is said to be the longest
Volcano Natural Park Ecotourism Project. The but most beautiful trek which may take in all three
VEI of Mayon mostly ranges between 1 and 3. days. It is advised to assess personal physical
The great eruption of 1 February 1814 has been condition, equipment and supplies before taking
estimated at a VEI of 4 (Smithsonian Global on the ascent. The hot springs of Mambucal are
Volcanism Program). very worth visiting for relaxing after the ascent.
The VEI of Kanloan ranges between 1 and 2
Kanlaon (Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program).
Mt Kanlaon is the highest mountain of the
Central Philippines. Kanlaon is a stratovolcano
situated in the province Negros Occidental. Its Hibok-Hibok
summit has an elevation of 2465 metres. Kanlaon Mt Hibok-Hibok or Catarman is the most
is one of the 13 most active volcanoes in the prominent member of a group of seven volcanoes
country. Its volcanic activity during the last 125 towering over the lush island of Camiguin in the
years has been nearly exclusively restricted to southern Visayas. The peak elevation of this very
phreatic eruptions and permanent fumarolic interesting compound volcano, consisting of a
emissions. In 1993 a climber was reported to have stratovolcano and dome complex, is 1332m. It has
died close to the crater rim when hit by rocks a base diameter of 10km and several craters at or
which were surprisingly thrown out of the crater. near its summit, some representing shallow lakes
Based on 52 samples of the Negros region or water holes. The present crater area at the
volcanics von Biedersee and Pichler (1995) stated north-east slope facing Mambajao was mined for
that the bulk of those rocks are typical calc- sulphur before the volcano’s activity in 1948.
alkaline andesites and basaltic andesites, which The tectonic setting of Hibok-Hibok is related
belong to the high K-calc-alkaline series with to the Central Mindanao Arc. Its main rock type
tendencies to shoshonites. Compared with other is Hornblende andesite and dacite. Hibok-Hibok
Cenozoic Philippine volcanics, that is from the has created five historical eruptions, the most
Bicol and Central Luzon Belts and from Hibok- destructive eruption series lasted from September
Hibok volcano, the Negros suite differs significantly 1948 to July 1953. In December of 1951 Hibok-
by its higher ratios of K O. The Negros volcanics Hibok had a major eruption of the rare pelean
2
correspond to typically continental or type that killed 600 people. During this eruptive
microcontinental associations like those developed cycle dome building with smaller nueé ardentes
in the central Andes or on the North Island of was observed at Hibok-Hibok. While the site of
New Zealand (von Biedersee and Pichler, 1995). the 1948 initial eruption was Kanangkaan crater,
The volcanic massif of Mt Kanlaon is part of the eruption series of 1949 and 1950–52 resulted
the Mt Kanlaon National Park, an undisturbed from Itum crater and Ilihan crater respectively. The
natural and historical refuge on the ‘Sugar-island‘ VEI of Hibok-Hibok ranges between 2 and 3
of Negros. Climbing enthusiasts, tackling the (PHIVOLCS/ Smithsonian Global Volcanism
mountain range feel it a demanding endeavour Program).
because of its size and natural geophysical features The island of Camiguin is accessible by ferry
– deep ravines and crevices plus massive vertical from Cebu City and from Jagna (Bohol). The
rock walls that can become slippery from the summit of Hibok-Hibok is accessible by trail from
irregular mountain water drainage. The best time Mambajao/Ardent hot springs. The ascent takes
to climb is during the dry season which is between about four to five hours. Since it might be difficult
February and May. Because it rains all year round to find the right trail it could be wise to hire a
even during the dry season, it is always good to guide for the ascent. Once on the way it is worth
prepare for poor weather. Group tours should be visiting the Quiboro Volcano Observatory, 4.7km
led by the experienced tour guides based in north-east of the summit. Another tourist attraction
Dumaguete City or Bacolod. There are many are the hot springs at Mambajao (Ardent Spring),
routes up to the mountain’s summit. The Mambucal Tangob, Bugong, Tagdo and Nassag.

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