Features:

 

Taal Lake: The Lake Within a Lake

 

Taal Lake, a lake within an island within a lake. The island is the Taal Volcano, one of the world’s smallest volcanoes, yet one of the Philippines’ most dangerous volcanoes.

 

Scientists believe that a massive prehistoric eruption blew the top of the then much larger Taal Volcano, causing it to cave in on itself forming and immense crater or caldera. Into this massive bowl, the nearby seawater rushed in, filling it, and creating a 30-kilometer diameter lake which exists to this day. Then over the centuries, a new and much smaller volcanic crater was formed and rose above the lake’s surface, creating a unique lake within an island within a lake.

 

One can get a close-up look at Taal in its splendor by crossing the large crater lake which surrounds the volcano and then trek to the top of the volcanic island to peer down into Taal’s own crater lake.             

 

The water of the outer lake, although sulfur bubbles up from some spots along the shore, is fresh and is known to be the habitat of many fishes like carp and eel. The lake is also the home to the only known species of sea snakes (Hydrophis si\emper) which have somehow learned to adapt to fresh water. Maliputo and tawilies (Harengula tawilis), the more popular fishes found in the lake, also have salt-water fishlike characteristics.             

 

The mood of the much smaller inner crater-like contrasts to the silent blue waters of the outer lake. The shores are rocky, harsh and barren. The only sign of life are the strands of tail feathery cogon grass and the big black crows sitting on the high rocks. Although it is approximately 20 meters deep, no fish are found to be living in the dark waters. The water is highly diluted form of sulfuric acid containing large amount of magnesium, aluminum, and sodium.             

 

 

 

Source: Heritage, Department of Environment & Natural Resources

 

 

 

 

 

Taal Lake in Tagaytay City is always a sight to behold. It is one of the main tourist attractions of the provinces of Cavite and Batangas. Above photo was taken from the viewing deck of Taal Vista Lodge.

Text Box:         Kumusta! ONLINE  <> www.e-kumusta.com  ■  March-April 2006 Issue

Kumusta! Internet Edition—March-April 2006 Issue

Published bimonthly by the Labrador Creative Group of Van Nuys, California, USA

 

IN THIS ISSUE

 

Home

 

Boracay: Sun-Lovers Island Paradise in the Land of the Ati-Atihans

 

Shooting the Rapids of Pagsanjan Falls

 

Taal Lake: Lake Within a Lake

 

From Boxing to Dancing, Pinoy is Tops

 

Battle of Mactan Marks Start of Filipino Resistance Against Foreign Invaders

 

7 Filipinos Make It To Forbes’ 40 Richest Men in SE Asia

 

Tagaytay City’s Convent of Divine Mercy

 

Whirlwind Travelogue to Mactan, Cebu and Bohol