Claim: Social media posts across the Philippines are going viral, claiming that a “massive active supervolcano” the Apolaki Caldera in the Philippine Sea is expected to erupt between 2027 and 2028, allegedly capable of “wiping out the Philippines.” These posts feature AI-generated visuals, fake scientific quotes, and fabricated citations to fuel panic and engagement. Verdict: ❌ False / No Scientific Basis There is no evidence, no warning, and no scientific indication that the Apolaki Caldera is active or poses any threat. Experts confirm it is an extinct geological formation, inactive for over 20 million years.
The Viral “Apolaki Supervolcano” Claim
In recent weeks, social media platforms across the Philippines have been inundated with alarming posts and videos suggesting that the Apolaki Caldera dubbed the “world’s largest supervolcano” could soon erupt. These posts, especially viral on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, claim that scientists and even “Google Gemini” have warned of an impending eruption that could “obliterate the Philippines.”
The accompanying visuals are typically AI-generated, showing fiery red maps of the archipelago beside swirling magma-like patterns, paired with dramatic music and pseudo-scientific narration. Some videos even feature deepfake voiceovers, falsely quoting scientists who were involved in Apolaki’s discovery. The timing of these posts following a series of real earthquakes across the Philippines made them particularly effective at sowing fear and confusion.
This wave of misinformation reflects a growing trend where AI manipulation and pseudo-science merge to exploit real public anxieties, manufacturing hysteria under the guise of “breaking news.”
What the Scientists Actually Say
Contrary to these viral claims, experts have categorically denied any possibility of volcanic activity at Apolaki.
Dr. Jenny Anne Barretto, the marine geophysicist who led the 2019 study that discovered the Apolaki Caldera, told:
“Apolaki Caldera is only the collapsed top of the volcano which forms part of the Benham Rise. Volcanism in Benham Rise stopped approximately 22 to 26 million years ago. It is considered extinct.”
Her statement dismantles the foundation of the viral narrative, confirming that Apolaki is not active, not dormant, but extinct a relic of ancient volcanic activity long ceased.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also confirmed that Apolaki poses no threat whatsoever. According to Melissa Mae Garcia of the Phivolcs Geologic Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Division:
“We can confirm that the Apolaki Caldera is not an active volcano and does not pose a threat. There is no evidence of any volcanic activity or potential hazard.”
Phivolcs’ official database, which categorizes all active and potentially active volcanoes in the Philippines, does not include Apolaki in any risk category.
The Geological and Scientific Context
The Apolaki Caldera lies beneath the Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) an undersea volcanic plateau east of Luzon. It was identified through extensive bathymetric mapping during a research project that aimed to study the morphology of the West Philippine Basin.
The resulting paper, “Benham Rise unveiled: Morphology and structure of an Eocene large igneous province in the West Philippine Basin” (Barretto et al., 2019), describes Apolaki as part of an ancient volcanic system formed during the Eocene epoch tens of millions of years ago. Geological dating confirmed that volcanic activity ceased 22–26 million years ago, placing Apolaki firmly in the extinct category.
While the Philippines sits atop the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth, Apolaki does not belong to this active volcanic arc. It is a fossilized structure, disconnected from any present-day magma systems or tectonic activity. Modern monitoring instruments, including seismic sensors and satellite data, show no geothermal or seismic anomalies near Benham Rise.
How AI Misinformation Fueled the Panic
The “Apolaki eruption” hoax is a textbook case of AI-driven disinformation. The viral visuals were designed using AI-generated imagery and manipulated data to mimic real geological simulations. The creators added pseudo-expert commentary, misused scientific terminology, and cited non-existent “Gemini AI forecasts” to make their claims appear credible.
These videos and posts spread rapidly through algorithmic amplification, as emotionally charged and fear-based content often gains higher engagement on social media. By exploiting recent natural disasters real earthquakes and volcanic tremors the misinformation blended truth with fabrication to manufacture mass anxiety.
Experts warn that this trend represents a new frontier in digital misinformation, where artificial intelligence is weaponized to create “scientific-looking” hoaxes that deceive the public and undermine trust in legitimate institutions like Phivolcs. Combating such narratives requires proactive fact-checking, improved media literacy, and stronger accountability for digital content platforms.
CyberPoe X Verdict
After examining verified geological data, official statements, and credible studies, the conclusion is clear: the Apolaki Caldera is extinct, not active. The “2027–2028 eruption” claim is a digital fabrication, designed to exploit fear and misinformation for engagement.
Apolaki is a geological relic the fossilized remnant of an ancient volcanic structure that last showed activity more than 20 million years ago. There is no magma movement, no seismic precursor, and no scientific evidence indicating any risk of eruption.
While the Philippines must remain vigilant against genuine geological hazards, Apolaki is not one of them. What threatens the public is not the volcano but the viral misinformation surrounding it.
Conclusion
No, the Apolaki Caldera is not about to erupt. There is no credible data, no official warning, and no scientific consensus suggesting otherwise. Volcanic activity in the Benham Rise region ended millions of years ago, and Apolaki remains a silent witness of the Earth’s prehistoric past.
The viral posts circulating online are AI-fabricated fear campaigns, not scientific alerts. This case underscores the growing need for digital vigilance and fact-based reporting in an era where misinformation can spread faster than the truth.
CyberPoeX | The Anti-Propaganda Frontline
