Copyright Information: All images are in the public domain and available for free. If you use this image, credit NOAA/NGDC, R. Lapointe, U.S. Air Force. |
View to the west from Clark Air Base of the major eruption of Pinatubo on June 15, 1991. The June 15-16 climatic phase lasted more than fifteen hours, sent tephra 30-40 km into the atmosphere, generated voluminous pyroclastic flows, and left a caldera in the former summit region. Later dubbed Black Saturday, the day of darkness stretched for 36 hours. The day included a black blizzard of coarse sand, more than 50 earthquakes, volcanic thunder, brilliant lightning, and orange fireballs. Image Credit: R. Lapointe. U.S. Air Force June 15, 1991 Pinatubo Philippines volcano Mount Pinatubo is an andesitic island arc volcano, located on the southwestern part of the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Prior to 1991, it had been dormant for more than 635 years. After months of rumbling, the volcano stirred to life on April 2, 1991. The next two and a half months were marked by generally increasing volcanic and seismic activity at the site. On June 15, a cataclysmic eruption began with a tremendous explosion. This slide set shows the early stages of the eruption phase, the cataclysmic eruption of June 15, and the effects and aftermath of the eruption. Subsequent calamities caused by the ash, pyroclastic flows, mud flows, and flooding are also depicted. Event Data:
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