Taal Volcano Main Crater Lake Explained

Main Crater Lake
Other Name:Yellow Lake
Pushpin Map:Philippines
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the Philippines
Location:Batangas
Coordinates:14.0097°N 120.9983°W
Type:Crater lake
Inflow:Taal Lake
Outflow:Taal Lake
Catchment:Taal Lake
Basin Countries:Philippines
Length:1km (01miles)
Width:1.9km (01.2miles)[1]
Area:1.2km2
Depth:100m (300feet)[2] [3]
Max-Depth:172m (564feet)
Volume:24.256e9m3
Shore:115km (71miles)
Elevation:4m (13feet)

Taal Volcano Main Crater Lake (in Tagalog pronounced as /taʔal/; or simply Main Crater Lake[3]), historically known as Yellow Lake,[4] is a lake inside the main crater of Taal Volcano. The origin of the lake is uncertain but is thought to have formed by rainwater. The lake briefly disappeared after the 2020 eruption of Taal Volcano.[5] [6]

There is an island inside of Main Crater Lake, called Vulcan Point.

History

Disappearance

After the January 12, 2020, eruption of Taal Volcano, satellite images showed that the water in Main Crater Lake had disappeared.[7] [8] Although the main cause of its disappearance is unknown, it is suggested that the water must have dried up due to the fissures that formed after the eruption.[7] The lava beneath the volcano may also have contributed to the evaporation of the lake.[5]

After Taal Volcano calmed down, a series of typhoons allowed rain to re-accumulate and reform Main Crater Lake.

Geography

Vulcan Point

Vulcan Point
Location:Taal Volcano
Map:Philippines
Map Relief:yes
Coordinates:14.0097°N 120.9983°W
Waterbody:Main Crater Lake
Population:0
Country:Philippines
Country Admin Divisions Title:Region
Country Admin Divisions:Calabarzon
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:Province
Country Admin Divisions 1:Batangas
Country Admin Divisions Title 2:Municipalities
Country Admin Divisions 2:San Nicolas

Vulcan Point Island, or simply Vulcan Point, is a small rocky island inside of Main Crater Lake which was once covered with vegetation before the 2020 eruption, which it survived. It is one of only a few islands in a lake on an island in a lake on an island in the world.[9] It projects from the surface underneath Main Crater Lake, which was the remnant of the old crater floor that was filled in by the lake.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FAST FACTS: What you should know about Taal Volcano. Jodesz. Gavilan. Rappler. January 13, 2020. February 1, 2020.
  2. Web site: Lake Taal. https://web.archive.org/web/20120306155713/http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-58.html. March 6, 2012. International Lake Environment Committee. March 17, 2012.
  3. Web site: Taal Volcano. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. February 1, 2020.
  4. Web site: Manila (Topographic map)". U.S. Army Corps of Engineer. University of Texas in Austin Library. 1954. August 3, 2014.
  5. News: Philippines Taal Volcano has lost its Main Crater Lake. The Washington Post. January 17, 2020. February 1, 2020.
  6. News: Image shows ash, lava visible at Taal Volcano's main crater. GMA News. January 23, 2020. February 1, 2020.
  7. Web site: Dramatic Changes at the Heart of Taal Volcano Spied by Satellites. February 2, 2020.
  8. News: Taal volcano's inner lake all but gone in eruption. BBC News. January 16, 2020. February 2, 2020.
  9. Web site: Some interesting islands and lakes. Elbruz. February 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20130919194149/http://elbruz.org/Special%20Projects/Islands%20and%20Lakes.htm. September 19, 2013. live.