About Iriga
Iriga is a stratovolcano rising to 1,138 meters (3,734 feet) in Philippines's Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Iriga is located in Philippines, within the Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc of the broader Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 13.46° N, 123.45° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,138 meters above sea level, Iriga is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Iriga 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 Iriga, 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 andesite / basaltic andesite, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Mount Iriga (locally known as Mt Asog) is a small andesitic stratovolcano that rises immediately W of Lake Buhi which has satellitic cinder cones of basaltic composition. A large breached crater open to the SE was formed as a result of a major debris avalanche that buried several villages and formed a broad hummocky deposit across the plain south of Lake Buhi. This catastrophic event was at one time considered to have occurred during 1628 CE, but later work has shown that the collapse occurred earlier at some unknown date during the Holocene. An older debris avalanche deposit of similar size was also described SW of the volcano (Paguican et al., 2010). Both debris avalanche deposits cover wide areas of low, waterlogged plains, to a distance of ~16 km for the older and 12 km for the younger. The collapse orientation and deposit constituents for both are consistent with being a response to transtensional faulting and gravity spreading. A cone and lava covering about 9 km2 post-date the younger collapse.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Iriga.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Iriga
Is Iriga an active volcano?+
Iriga is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Iriga?+
Iriga has a summit elevation of 1,138 meters (3,734 feet) above sea level. At 1,138 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Iriga?+
Iriga is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Iriga located?+
Iriga is located in Philippines, in the Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 13.458° latitude, 123.451° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Iriga?+
Iriga 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.
