Mount Matutum is an active stratovolcano, is the highest point in the province of South Cotabato in the Philippines, with an elevation of 7,500 feet (2,286 metres) above sea level, approximately 5.7 km from Acmonan, Tupi, South Cotabato. Matutum and its foothills are predominantly inhabited by indigenous Blaan families. Its slopes are forested and host diverse species of plants and animals, including such endangered species as the Philippine eagle and the tarsier.

Location

Matutum is located in the province of South Cotabato, on the island of Mindanao, in the south of the Philippines, at geographical coordinates 6°22'N, 125°06.5'E. It is 15 km north of Polomolok, and about 30 km north-northwest of General Santos.

Physical features

Matutum is a stratovolcano that rises 2286 m asl with a base diameter of 25 km. It has two hot springs, called Acmonan and Linan, 5.7 km west-southwest of the volcano. Adjacent volcanic edifices are Landayao, Tampad, and Albulhek, which are all west of the volcano, and Magolo to the north. There is a well-preserved 320 m wide crater at the volcano's summit. The crater is breached by three gorges and has a 120 m deep, densely forested floor.

Eruptions

Volcanologists suspect that Matutum may have had a phreatic eruption on March 7, 1911. Matutum is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines. All are part of the Pacific ring of fire.