History of Taal

Since the 1754 eruption, the surface elevation had gone up from sea level (as the lake was freely navigable from Balayan Bay) to 5 metres (16 ft) above sea level. Several centuries of precipitation have diluted the lake's once saline waters into freshwater.

Over a century after the big eruption, newer towns along the lake were again established, carved from the larger towns - Talisay (established 1869, from Taal), Cuenca (1877, from San Jose), Alitagtag (1910, from Bauan), Mataasnakahoy (1932, from Lipa), Agoncillo (1949, from Lemery), San Nicolas (1955, at the former location of Taal town), Laurel (1961, from Talisay), Santa Teresita (1961, from Taal, San Luis and San Nicolas) and Balete (1969, from Lipa)