Cabalian is classified by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) as active with solfataric activity. Radiocarbon dating on a pyroclastic flow deposit from the volcano estimated that the last eruption was in 1820 +/- 30 years.[2][3]

The cinder cone volcano has an elevation of 945 metres (3,100 ft) with a base diameter of 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi). The predominant rock type is andesite. Beside solfataras, other thermal features present are hot springslocated on the east and west flank of the volcano. Mainit Hot Spring in the municipality of Anahawan, Southern Leyte has a temperature of 63.4–63.9 °C (146.1–147.0 °F).