| Mount Talinis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,862 m (6,109 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,442 m (4,731 ft) |
| Listing | Potentially active volcano Ribu |
| Coordinates | 9°15′0″N123°10′0″E / 9.25000°N 123.16667°E /9.25000; 123.16667 |
| Geography | |
.svg)  Mount Talinis Location within the Philippines | |
 | |
| Location | Negros |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Central Visayas |
| Province | Negros Oriental |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | LateMiocene[2] |
| Mountain type | Complex volcano |
| Volcanic belt | Negros Volcanic Belt |
| Last eruption | Unknown |
Mount Talinis is acomplex volcano in thePhilippineprovince ofNegros Oriental. At about 1,862 metres (6,109 ft)[3] above sea level, it is the second highest mountain onNegros Island afterMount Kanlaon, and the tallest peak in themountain range known as theCuernos de Negros ("Horns of Negros").[4] The volcano is located 9 km (5.6 mi) southwest of the municipality ofValencia; and 20 km (12 mi) fromDumaguete, the capital of the province.
Cuernos de Negros is classified by thePhilippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology as apotentially activevolcano forming part of the Negros Volcanic Belt.Andesite andbasalt are the most abundant rocks found on the mountain. With a base diameter of 36 kilometres (22 mi), the volcanic complex is composed of several volcanic cones and peaks, the most prominent of which are Talinis, Magaso (also confusingly called "Cuernos de Negros"), Guinsayawan, Yagumyum Peak and Guintabon Dome.[5][6][7] The mountain range is veryfumarolic with severalsolfataras and steam vents located on its slope that are harnessed to generate electricity. The Southern Negros Geothermal Production Field in Palinpinon generates 192.5 MW.[8][9]
Cuernos de Negros volcanic complex is popular with visitors for the natural environment of the forest and manyvolcanic lakes surrounded by mountains.
Within the volcano complex is Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, a national park established on November 21, 2000 byProclamation No. 414. It is a most visited park of which the twin crater lakes ofBalinsasayao andDanao are located, separated only by a narrow mountain ridge.[10] Lake Kabalin-an, a smaller lake, is located before the two lakes. All three lakes are located within the Guintabon Caldera.[11][12]
Mt. Talinis is easily climbed via nature trails that start in Bidjao,Dauin and Apolong,Valencia.[13][14] Several crater lakes exits: Lake Yagumyum is between Yagumyum Peak and the main peak of Cuernos de Negros; Lake Nailig and Lake Mabilog are crater lakes near the summit. Lake Nailig serves as the main camping ground, with the peak accessible by a 30-minute trek. The summit is heavily forested and mostly covered with fog.[15]The Kaipohan sulfur vents, an area of dead trees and bleached rocks, can be found on the trail to Apolong, Valencia.
The region of Mt. Talinis has a richbiodiversity that is threatened byillegal logging, "kaingin", increased tourist activity and the gradual build-up of houses near its forested areas. The lakes around Mt. Talinis contain freshwatershrimp,snails,carp andtilapia species, and its forest system is home toendemic and rarewildlife. There are 91 tree species, 18 of which are commercially important, includingAlphonsea arborea,Elaeocarpus monocera,Pometia pinnata, andPhyllocladus hypophyllus andtigerwood. Other notable flora include wild orchids, edible berries and, broad-leafed tree ferns.
Commonfauna includeboars,civets,chickens,pigeons,monkeys,sunbirds,monitor lizards,bar-bellied cuckoo-shrikes,leopard cats, and thebrown weaver ant. Some of the endangered and rare animals aretarictic hornbills,Philippine spotted deers,Visayan warty pigs,Philippine tube-nosed fruit bats, andNegros bleeding-hearts.[16]