It has an elevation of 646 metres (2,119 ft) asl, and a base diameter of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi).[2]
Eruptions
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reports that Musuan erupted in 1866 and 1867,[2] but the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program records another eruption, possibly phreatic, that "burned everything around it." The explosion supposedly occurred four years before the 1891 visit of a Jesuit priest, who reported that he could not examine the volcano more closely because of strong solfataric activity.[1]
A strong seismic swarm occurred near Musuan in 1976, and again around mid-2011.[1]
Mount Musuan's northern slope is still covered by a primary rainforest. The rest is covered predominantly by Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica). Reforestation efforts on the bare areas, both in tree-planting drives and by Central Mindanao University personnel, have established temporary forests of Acacia mangium and conifers.
There are 524 species of plants in Mount Musuan under 353 genera and 135 families. 301 species are trees, 51 shrubs, 50 grasses and sedges, 46 herbs, 42 vines, 31 ferns, and 3 fern allies. 188 species (35%) are economically important, 128 species (24%) are endemic, and 3 (1%) are endangered species. Musuan peak has approximately 6,354 individual trees. The most common tree species (in density and frequency) are the Melanolepis multiglandulosa (Kamala tree) and Colona serratifolia, followed by Clausena brevistyla and Alstonia scholaris (Blackboard tree).[3] Three species of pteridophytes are locally threatened: Marsilea crenata ("apat-apat"), Ceratopteris thalictroides ("pakung-sungay"), and Lycopodiella cernua (clubmoss). 10 species of pteridophytes are endemic to the area.[4]
History and infrastructure
A view of Musuan Peak from the surrounding rice fields at dawn. Part of the Central Mindanao University motorpool buildings are visible on the bottom left.
According to the legend, Musuan Peak was made out of feces dropped by a man named Tapogak. One day a man named Babaydan and his whole family along with Tapogak bringing his belongings were taken up to heaven. Afterwards, Tapogak found some honey and ate more of it, causing him to defecate from heaven atop. Because of his gluttony, he was kicked out of heaven by his friends, fell down and never reached heaven again. His feces he defecated while in heaven atop became a mountain named "Indus ni Tapogak", which means "Tapogak's feces" in Umayamnon language, now known as Musuan Peak. [5]
Mount Musuan's lack of any visible crater has led to some local skepticism of it being an active volcano.[6] Still, the imagery evoked by its name variant 'Mount Calayo' (Fire Mountain) and the stories told by local Bukidnon tribesmen keeps people wary of the relatively small mountain which doesn't look like a volcano at all.[7]
At the foot of Musuan Peak is the Mount Musuan Zoological and Botanical Garden of the Central Mindanao University. It includes a butterfly greenhouse and a reforestation nursery among its buildings. The Sayre Highway and a research center of the Philippine Carabao Center are located on the western slopes.[9] It has a tourist shop which sells dairy products made from Carabao milk. South of the mountain are the university agricultural facilities including a cattle ranch, a poultry farm, greenhouses, and a dairy.
Due to its proximity to the university and the university town proper, it has become a popular destination for students, teachers, and tourists; either for picnics or a study of the flora and fauna of one of the few remnants of the jungles that once covered the valleys of the surrounding areas.[10] From its isolated position in the middle of the valley and the very small surface area of its highest point (only a few meters), the entire countryside is visible from the top. Currently its slopes has been the target of extensive reforestation efforts partly paid for by the establishment of toll gates to hikers intending to go up the mountain.
^Agbulos, Jesse; et al. (2005). Sikami'n Lumad: Bagong Panitikan ng Katutubong Mindanaw. Davao City: Ateneo de Davao University Research and Publication Office. pp. 60–61. ISBN971-92690-5-7.
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