Copyright Information: All images are in the public domain and available for free. If you use this image, credit NOAA/NGDC, R. Batalon, U.S. Air Force. |
Aerial view of the north side of Pinatubo crater with a small explosion in progress on June 22, 1991. The crater is approximately two km in diameter. The caldera was offset to the north of the former summit. The major eruption lowered the 1,755 m (5,758 ft) summit by 145 m (476 ft). The caldera wall, 200 m high at one point, dropped to the level of the crater floor on the east side. The floor of the caldera was smooth and covered with ash. Image Credit: R. Batalon. 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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