Mount Hibok-Hibok

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Hibok-Hibok is an active volcano on Camiguin Island in the Philippines (9°12.2'N, 124°40.5’E). It is also known as Catarman.

[edit] Physical Features

Volcanologists classify Hibok-Hibok as a stratovolcano and dome complex with an elevation of 1,332 meters and a base diameter of 1,000 meters.

It has six hot springs (Ardent Spring, Tangob, Bugong, Tagdo, Naasag and Kiyab), three crater lakes (Kanangkaan Crater, site of the 1948 eruption; Itum Crater, site of 1949 eruption, and Ilihan Crater, site of 1950 eruption). It also has a volcanic maar, Taguines Lagoon between Binone and Maac.

Its adjacent volcanic edifices are Mt. Vulcan ( 671 m high asl, NW of Hibok-Hibok ), Mt. Mambajao (center of Camiguin), Mt. Ginsiliban (581 m high asl, southernmost Camiguin), Mt. Uhay (N of Mount Ginsiliban). There are also domes and cones at Campana Hill, Minokol Hill, Tres Marias Hill, Mt. Carling, Mt. Tibane, Piyakong Hill

[edit] Eruptions

Hibok-Hibok erupted five times in modern history. The first recorded eruption occurred in 1827. This was followed by similar activity in 1862.

In January 1871, residents of the island reported earthquakes and subterranean rumbling. There were later landslides, fissuring of land and a swarm of earthquakes. In April, the volcano spewed rocks, dust, and ashes for a week and a volcanic dome called which would later be named Mt. Vulcan began to form. The lava dome reached a height of 457 meters with a base almost 1,5000 meters after four years. Vulcan's activity has been limited to emission of steam from crevices at the top of the dome.

In 1897, Hibok-Hibok emitted white sulfurous vapors which damaged farms on the island. Solfataric activity continued up to 1902.

Hibok-Hibok had a pelean eruption was in August 1948, with a series of earth tremors. There were also landslides and earthquakes followed by dome building and nuee ardente in September 1953.

Eruption sites during the 1948-1952 eruptions were Kanangkaan Crater (1948), Itum Crater (1949) and Ilihan Crater (1950).

Volcanologists observed an eruption pattern observed during the 1948-1952 eruptions (a cycle of four phases) beginning with a short period of emission of steam from the crater and avalanches of volcanic materials, followed by explosions or steam blast with emission of heavy clouds of steam, ash and other fragmentary volcanic materials with a strong possibility of the development of nuee ardente. The third phase involves eruption of incandescent meterials, emission of ash and steam in large amounts, formation of flows and occasional minor crateral outbursts and finally a decrease in steam and other ejecta from the crater.

It is one of the 22 active volcanoes in the Philippines. The others are Babuyan Claro, Banahaw, Biliran, Bud Dajo, Mount Bulusan Cagua, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Mount Iriga, Mount Kanlaon,Makaturing, Matutum, Mayon, Musuan, Mount Parker (Cotabato), Pinatubo, Ragang, Smith, Taal. They are all part of the so-called "Pacific ring of fire."