About San Pablo Volcanic Field
San Pablo Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,090 meters (3,576 feet) in Philippines's Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1350 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
San Pablo Volcanic Field is located in Philippines, within the Luzon Volcanic Arc of the broader Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.12° N, 121.30° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,090 meters above sea level, San Pablo Volcanic Field is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
San Pablo Volcanic Field sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Philippines near San Pablo Volcanic Field, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is trachyandesite / basaltic trachyandesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
San Pablo Volcanic Field has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1350 CE to 1350 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
The San Pablo Volcanic Field, (also known as the Laguna Volcanic Field) lies at the southern end of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake on Luzon Island. The field contains dozens of scoria cones and maars. Three generations of maars are present, with the oldest being sediment-filled and the youngest containing deep lakes. Many of the maars are aligned along a NE-SW trend. Local legends suggest that the youngest maar, 1.2-km-wide Sampaloc Lake, was formed about 500-700 years ago. The high point of the field is the eroded Maquiling (Makiling) andesitic-to-rhyolitic stratovolcano, which has a deep crater whose floor is 480 m below its north rim. Maquiling has several cones, maars, and numerous thermal areas at its northern base; a geothermal project is located on the S flank.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1350 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Sampaloc Lake |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About San Pablo Volcanic Field
Is San Pablo Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
San Pablo Volcanic Field is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1350 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did San Pablo Volcanic Field last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of San Pablo Volcanic Field occurred in 1350 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." San Pablo Volcanic Field has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is San Pablo Volcanic Field?+
San Pablo Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,090 meters (3,576 feet) above sea level. At 1,090 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is San Pablo Volcanic Field?+
San Pablo Volcanic Field is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is San Pablo Volcanic Field located?+
San Pablo Volcanic Field is located in Philippines, in the Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Luzon Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 14.120° latitude, 121.300° longitude.
Is it safe to visit San Pablo Volcanic Field?+
San Pablo Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Philippines may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
