11/10/2025
No, the Apolaki Caldera Is Not Active and Poses No Threat
I saw this image circulating online showing a massive glowing ring east of the Philippines, the Apolaki Caldera.
For those who aren’t familiar, the Apolaki Caldera is a real geological structure located deep beneath the sea in the area known as the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise). This underwater formation is so huge that it holds the title of the largest known caldera in the world, with an estimated diameter of around 150 kilometers, even larger than Yellowstone or Toba.
It was formed millions of years ago, likely after a series of enormous volcanic eruptions that reshaped the ocean floor and left behind this vast circular depression. The name Apolaki was inspired by the ancient Filipino god of the sun and war, a fitting name for something so grand and mysterious beneath our seas.
Recently, some posts online have linked Apolaki to the earthquakes on September 30 and October 10, claiming that it might be “awakening.”
However, there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Those earthquakes were tectonic, caused by natural movements along the Earth’s fault lines, not by volcanic activity.
The Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, so earthquakes are normal and expected here. These quakes, while strong, are not signs that the Apolaki Caldera is becoming active.
The truth is, the Apolaki Caldera remains dormant, meaning it has been inactive for millions of years.
So while the idea of a giant underwater volcano may sound terrifying, there’s no need to panic.
Let’s stay informed, not alarmed.
The Philippines is home to some of the world’s most fascinating geological wonders, and Apolaki is one of them, a silent reminder of our planet’s powerful past, not a present threat. 🇵🇭🌏
And please, stop spreading fake news that only causes fear and confusion.
If something serious ever happens, let’s wait for official updates from PHIVOLCS, DOST, or other trusted authorities before believing or sharing anything online. 🙏
Let’s use social media to educate, not terrify, and keep calm, kababayan.
Done — I checked current sources and official statements.
Is Apo Laki Caldera Active?
No. The Apolaki (Apolaki) Caldera is not an active volcano — it formed and last erupted tens of millions of years ago and is considered part of an extinct/dormant submarine large igneous province. 
What I checked and why that supports the conclusion
• PHIVOLCS (via news reporting of PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum) explicitly said the volcano that formed the caldera erupted millions of years ago and “poses no danger of erupting.” (statement reported Oct 22, 2019). 
• The original scientific work that described the feature (Jenny Barretto et al.) interprets the Benham Rise (where Apolaki sits) as an Eocene large igneous province with volcanism dated roughly ~48–26 million years ago. That timing is inconsistent with an active volcano today. 
• Reference summaries (Benham Rise / Apolaki entries) characterize the rise/caldera as an extinct or ancient submarine volcanic structure, not a presently active system. 
Current signs of activity
I found no recent reports, seismic alerts, or geophysical evidence indicating magma recharge, recent eruptions, or elevated seismicity connected to Apolaki. PHIVOLCS and peer-reviewed work both treat it as ancient/dormant. 
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If you want, I can:
• pull the latest PHIVOLCS Volcano Bulletin and seismic catalog entries now to show the most recent earthquake/volcano monitoring checks; or
• summarize the Barretto et al. 2020 paper in more detail (maps, age data, how they identified the caldera).
Which of those would you like me to do next?
