The document defines a volcano as an opening on Earth's surface where molten rocks, smoke, gases and ashes are erupted from below the surface. It states that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology currently lists 23 active volcanoes in the Philippines, 21 of which have erupted historically within the last 600 years and two that show strong fumarolic activity. Active volcanoes are defined as those that have erupted in the Holocene period of the last 10,000 years or have documented eruptions in historical times.