1. How dangerous was the eruption and is the volcano?
The eruption from 1991 was the biggest and most explosive one of the 20th century. A few times stronger than the eruption of saint Helens in 1980. They couldn’t really measure the eruption because all the seismographs were destroyed, partly by the pyroclastic flows. But also because it rained while the eruption was at its highest point. This lasted for 3 hours. It was measured that the ash shot up in the air for 34 kilometres. The pyroclastic flows came to a halt 16 km from the top of the volcano. And because of the huge amounts of rain enormous lahars were created.
The volcano Pinatubo doesn’t erupt very often, the last eruption before the one in 1991 was 500 years ago. But the eruptions were all very destructive. After the eruption in 1991 the volcano seems pretty calm.
The volcano Pinatubo doesn’t erupt very often, the last eruption before the one in 1991 was 500 years ago. But the eruptions were all very destructive. After the eruption in 1991 the volcano seems pretty calm.