Cover Lake Pinatubo, the crater lake resulting from the 1991 eruption, pictured here in 2008 | Photo by Chris Tomnong, Wikimedia Commons
Mount Pinatubo was just raised to Alert Level 1. Find out about this active volcano's past, here:

1. Largest Eruption

The 15 June 1991 was world’s largest volcanic eruption to happen in the past 100 years. Some say its the second largest but due to the fact that it was the most destructive and in the most densely populated area, many experts have labelled it the largest in recent history. 

 

 

2. Thousands Of Earthquakes

In March and April 1991 prior to the mega event in June, molten rock known as magma rose around 32 kilometres from below earth towards the volcano’s surface. This caused thousands of small earthquakes and wild steam explosions that broke through three craters on the north side of the volcano.

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Above USGS volcano seismologist David Harlow conducts analysis of Mount Pinatubo seismicity.

3. Blast Zone

The monumental eruption in June 1991 had a blast radius of 5 cubic kilometres and rose up to 30km high. 

4. 500 year silence

Prior to 15 June 1991, the volcano was dormant for around 500 years.

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Above NASA's TOMS satellite image showing how Pinatubo's ash had circled the globe by June 30, 1991.

5. Changing World Temperatures

Nearly 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide were injected into the stratosphere in Pinatubo's 1991 eruptions. This amount of gas affected global temperatures, causing them to drop from 1991 to1993 by about 1°F or 0.5°C. 

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Above The June 12 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, three days before the much larger eruption on June 15, 1991.

6. 12 June 1991 Explosion

Prior of the massive eruption on the 15th, Mount Pinatubo had its first big pre-explosion on 12 June 1991. The ash column was about 19 km high!

7. Death Toll

An estimated count of more than 800 to 900 people died from the terrible 15 June Mount Pinatubo eruption.

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Above The eruption of Mount Pinatubo sent lahars and pyroclastic flows down the mountain, wiping out bridges and other infrastructure downstream

8. Volcano Height Pre Eruption

Prior to its eruption, the volcano was 4,800 feet or 1,460 metres tall.

9. Above Sea Level

Mount Pinatubo is currently 1,485 metres or 4,900 feet above sea level.

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Above Damage from volcanic ash fall at Clark Air Force Base from the June 15, 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

10. Oldest Known Eruption

The oldest recorded eruption recorded was 6100 before present day.

11. Last Eruption

Mount Pinatubo erupted again some time in August 1992, killing around 72 people.

Credits

Photography  

U.S. Geological Survey

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