Malinao

Photo of this volcano
Country Philippines
Volcanic Region Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc
Landform | Volc Type Composite | Stratovolcano
Last Known Eruption Pleistocene
Coordinates 13.416°N, 123.608°E
Elevation 1,548 m (5,079 ft)
Volcano Number 273801
Google Earth icon Google Earth Placemark with Features
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Latest Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports available for Malinao.

Latest Bulletin Report

Bulletin Report for August 1980 (SEAN 05:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Small phreatic explosion

A small phreatic explosion took place on 29 July from one of the pools of hot water in the Naglagbong thermal area, Tiwi geothermal field, at the E foot of Malinao. The explosion ejected hot mud and blocks up to 2/3 m in diameter. The ejecta reached heights of 150 m and fell as much as 350 m from the vent. One person received second-degree burns and two buildings were damaged, one a COMVOL seismic station.

Before the explosion the pool was 15 m in diameter and 4.3 m deep, with clear emerald-green water at a temperature of 85°C. As early as 6 July, the seismograph recorded unusual microseisms. Two hours before the explosion, geysering of muddy water was observed.

[The minor explosion from the Naglabong thermal area that ejected blocks in 1980 was probably due to water drawdown during development of the Tiwi geothermal field (Newhall, 1994, pers. comm.).]

Information Contacts: O. Peña, COMVOL, Quezon City.

Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Malinao.

Bulletin Reports

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

Index with Summary Sentence

04/1970 (CSLP 35-70) Reports of tremors and rumblings

08/1980 (SEAN 05:08) Small phreatic explosion

Report Narratives

Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


April 1970 (CSLP 35-70)

Reports of tremors and rumblings

Card 0919 (27 April 1970) Reports of tremors and rumblings

Father Hennessey reports by cable that there is a 'report (that) Mount Malinao, an extinct volcano 20 km NNW of Mayon, is becoming active.' Earth tremors 'ranging from Intensity 1 to 5' have occurred and 'deep rumblings' have been heard.

W. Ward cabled the following: 'Mount Malinao acting up, no eruption since prehistoric times.'

Malinao is located in southeastern Luzon. It is a stratovolcano with crescentic center of which the northern wall is failing. The inner crater walls are bare. There are two hot wells, Jigabo and Naglabong. At the latter well, the fumaroles had a highest temperature of 108°C in 1903.

Information Contacts: Rev. J.J. Hennessey, Manila Observatory, Manila, Philippines; W.T.T. Ward, U.S. 13th Air Force Historical Office, Clark Air Force Base, Manila, Philippines.


August 1980 (SEAN 05:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Small phreatic explosion

A small phreatic explosion took place on 29 July from one of the pools of hot water in the Naglagbong thermal area, Tiwi geothermal field, at the E foot of Malinao. The explosion ejected hot mud and blocks up to 2/3 m in diameter. The ejecta reached heights of 150 m and fell as much as 350 m from the vent. One person received second-degree burns and two buildings were damaged, one a COMVOL seismic station.

Before the explosion the pool was 15 m in diameter and 4.3 m deep, with clear emerald-green water at a temperature of 85°C. As early as 6 July, the seismograph recorded unusual microseisms. Two hours before the explosion, geysering of muddy water was observed.

[The minor explosion from the Naglabong thermal area that ejected blocks in 1980 was probably due to water drawdown during development of the Tiwi geothermal field (Newhall, 1994, pers. comm.).]

Information Contacts: O. Peña, COMVOL, Quezon City.

General Information

Eruptive History

The Global Volcanism Program is not aware of any Holocene eruptions from Malinao. If this volcano has had large eruptions (VEI >= 4) prior to 12,000 years ago, information might be found on the Malinao page in the LaMEVE (Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions) database, a part of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

Synonyms and Subfeatures

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Malinao in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites