Didicas Volcano

Didicas Volcano
Didicas Volcano Map of the Philippines
Elevation	228 m (748 ft)
Prominence	228 m (748 ft)
Listing	Active volcanoes of the Philippines
Location
Location	Luzon Strait
Coordinates	19°4.6′N 122°12.1′E / 19.0767°N 122.2017°E / 19.0767; 122.2017Coordinates: 19°4.6′N 122°12.1′E / 19.0767°N 122.2017°E / 19.0767; 122.2017
Geology
Type	Volcanic island
Volcanic arc/belt	Luzon Volcanic Arc
Last eruption	1978

Didicas Volcano is an active volcanic island in the province of Cagayan in northern Philippines. The island, which reemerged from the sea in 1952, is located 22 kilometres (14 mi) NE of Camiguin Island, one of the Babuyan Islands in Luzon Strait. Prior to 1952, the volcano first breached the ocean surface in 1857.^[1]

Physical Features

The former submarine volcano of Didicas is topped with a lava dome with an elevation of 228 metres (748 ft) and a base diameter of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) at sea level. It is located at the southern end of the Luzon Volcanic Arc, and like all the volcanoes in the Philippines, is part of the Pacific ring of fire.

Eruption History

The have been six historical eruptions recorded from the volcano since the 18th century.

• The very first submarine eruption from the volcano, located on what was known as Didicas reefs of the Farallones, was recorded in 1773.^[2]

• In September or October 1856, the first activity started as a column of "smoke" in between the two rocks well known to the locals, but no earthquakes were felt. It is not until the following year that the new volcano made its first appearance. It underwent a violent eruption attended by earthquakes then broke the surface of the sea. From that time to 1860, the volcano was constantly active and in four years had reached a height of 700 feet (210 m). The island was later washed out by the waves and disappeared beneath the sea.^[2][1][3]

• The eruption in 1900 left three rock masses up to 82 feet (25 m) high.^[4]

• The volcano broke the ocean's surface again during the eruption of 1952 that started around March 16. After the activities have subsided the following year, the resulting island is 1+¹⁄₂ miles (2.4 km) wide with an elevation of 240 metres (800 ft).^[4]

• Fatalities from the volcano was first recorded in the eruption of 1969 when three fishermen were killed while fishing near the volcano. The activity, which started on March 21, came from a new crater on the northern side of the island. Air reconnaissance over the volcano reported bubbling mud on the 20 m (66 ft) wide bottom of the crater. Activity on the volcano waned in June the same year.^[5]

• The last eruption of Didicas was in January 6 to 9 in 1978. The mild eruption blanketed the island with fresh volcanic ashes.^[5]

See also

• Active volcanos in the Philippines
• Potentially active volcanos in the Philippines
• Inactive volcanos in the Philippines
• Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Villamor, Ignacio. "Census of the Philippine Islands, 1918, Vol. I", p. 112. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1920.
2. ^ ^{a b} U.S. Bureau of Insular Affairs. "Description of the Philippines, Part 1", p. 39. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1903.
3. ^ U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. "United States Coast Pilot Philippine Islands, Part I", p.44. Washington Government Printing Office, 1919.
4. ^ ^{a b} "Didicas". Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0704-02=. Retrieved 2011-06-14. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Didicas Monthly Reports". Global Volcanism Program. Retrieved on 2011-06-14.

External links

• "Didicas". Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0704-02=. 
• "Didicas Volcano Page" at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).