I – 10, I – 20, I – 21

QTR 1 CASE STUDY 2

Date and Time of Eruption:

On June 15, 1991 the eruption of Mount Pinatubo began at 1:42 p.m. local time.
Date and Time of Eruption:

On June 15, 1991 the eruption of Mount Pinatubo began at 1:42 p.m. local time.
Date and Time of Eruption:

On June 15, 1991 the eruption of Mount Pinatubo began at 1:42 p.m. local time.
Date and Time of Eruption:

On June 15, 1991 the eruption of Mount Pinatubo began at 1:42 p.m. local time.
Date and Time of Eruption:

On June 15, 1991 the eruption of Mount Pinatubo began at 1:42 p.m. local time.
Date and Time of Eruption:

On June 15, 1991 the eruption of Mount Pinatubo began at 1:42 p.m. local time.

Location of Volcano:

Mount Pinatubo is a volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Nestled in the
central part of the Zambales mountain range, the volcano lies 55 miles northwest of the capital city of
Manila.

Type of Volcano:

Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano.

Differentiate with the other two types and give an example of the other types of
volcanoes:

The three main types of volcanoes differ in shape, size, and make-up; the differences
partly result from the different types of eruptions.

VOLCANO TYPE VO V V E
LC O O R
AN L L U
O C C P
SH A A TI
AP N N O
E O O N
SI M T
Z A Y
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T
E
RI
A
L P
E S E

S
m
Ste all
ep le
co ss
nic th
al a
hill n
wit 3
h 0
str 0 Ex
aig m pl
ht hi cin os
sid g de iv
Cinder Cone es h rs e

Shield Volcano L flui Q

Ver ar d ui
y g lav et
ge e a
ntl ov flo
e er ws
slo 1 (b
pe 0s as
s; of alt
co k )
nv m
ex s
up ac
wa ro
rd ss
(sh
ap
ed
like
 I – 10, I – 20, I – 21

a
wa
rrio
r’s
shi
eld
)

Ge
ntl
e
low
er
slo nu
pe m
s, er
but L ou
ste ar s
ep g lay
up e er
per 1- s
slo 1 of
pe 0 lav
s; k a
co m an
nc in d
av di py Ex
e a ro pl
up m cla os
wa et sti iv
Stratovolcano rd er cs e

VO V V E
VOLC VOLC VOLCANO
LC O O R
ANO VOLCANO ANO MATERIAL
AN L L U
TYPE SHAPE SIZE S
O C C P
SH A A TI
Cinder Small cinders
AP N N O
Cone less
Steep conical E O O N
than
hill with SI M T
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Z A Y
300m
E T P
straight sides high
E E
RI
A
Very gentle
L
slopes;
S
convex Large
upward over
Shield (shaped like a 10s of
Volcan warrior’s kms fluid lava
o shield) across flows (basalt)

Gentle lower
slopes, but Large
steep upper 1-10 numerous
slopes; km in layers of lava
Stratov concave diamet and
olcano upward er pyroclastics

VOLCANO VOLCANO
TYPE VOLCANO SHAPE SIZE

Steep conical hill with less than 300m

Cinder Cone straight sides

Very gentle slopes;

convex upward (shaped over 10s of kms
Shield Volcano like a warrior’s shield)

Stratovolcano
1-10 km in
Gentle lower slopes, but diameter
steep upper slopes;
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concave upward

VOLCANO TYPE

S
m
Ste all
ep le
co ss
nic th
al a
hill n
wit 3
h 0
str 0 Ex
aig m pl
ht hi cin os
sid g de iv
Cinder Cone es h rs e

Shield Volcano L flui Q

Ver ar d ui
y g lav et
ge e a
ntl ov flo
e er ws
slo 1 (b
pe 0s as
s; of alt
co k )
nv m
ex s
up ac
wa ro
rd ss
(sh
ap
ed
like
a
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wa
rrio
r’s
shi
eld
)

Ge
ntl
e
low
er
slo nu
pe m
s, er
but L ou
ste ar s
ep g lay
up e er
per 1- s
slo 1 of
pe 0 lav
s; k a
co m an
nc in d
av di py Ex
e a ro pl
up m cla os
wa et sti iv
Stratovolcano rd er cs e

Table 1: Types of Volcanoes

What are the precursors that were recorded before the eruption?

On March 15, 1991, successions of earthquakes were felt by villagers on the north-
western side of the volcano. Further earthquakes of increasing intensity were felt over the
next two weeks, and it became clear some kind of volcanic activity was likely. On April 2, the
volcano awoke, with phreatic eruptions occurring near the summit along a 1.5 km (0.93 mi)
long fissure. Over the next few weeks, small eruptions continued, dusting the surrounding
areas with volcanic ash. Seismographs recorded hundreds of small earthquakes every day.
The 1990 Luzon Earthquake that occurred a year before is also said to be a precursor and it
is being studied if it contributed to the eruption somehow.
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What type of eruption did the volcano manifest? Compare with other eruption
types?

The Mt.Pinatubo 1991 eruption is a “Plinian” eruption.

VE Plume Frequency *
Eruptive volume * Eruption type Example
i height *

<100 m
0 1,000 m3 (35,300 cu ft) Hawaiian Continuous Kilauea
(330 ft)

100–
1,000 
m Hawaiian/Strombolia
1 10,000 m3 (353,000 cu ft) Months Stromboli
(300– n
3,300 ft
)

1–5 km
1,000,000 m3 (35,300,000 cu ft)  Strombolian/Vulcania
2 (1–3 mi Months Galeras (1992)
†
n
)

3–15 k
10,000,000 m3 (353,000,000 cu  Nevado del
3 m (2– Vulcanian Yearly
ft) Ruiz (1985)
9 mi)

10–25 
Eyjafjallajökull (201
4 km (6– 100,000,000 m3 (0.024 cu mi) Vulcanian/Peléan Few years
0)
16 mi)

>25 km Mount St.

5 1 km3 (0.24 cu mi) Plinian 5–10 years
(16 mi) Helens (1980)

6 >25 km 10 km3 (2 cu mi) Plinian/Ultra Plinian 1,000 years Krakatoa (1883)

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(16 mi)

>25 km
7 100 km3 (20 cu mi) Ultra Plinian 10,000 years Tambora (1815)
(16 mi)

>25 km 100,000
8 1,000 km3 (200 cu mi) Supervolcanic Lake Toba (74 ka)
(16 mi) years

Table 2: Volcano Eruption Types

Based on the explosion type, what could be the type of magma present?

Plinian volcanic eruption usually involve felsic magma, which was indeed present
during the Mount Pinatubo eruption. However according to some source (stated in the
bibiliography), it was also found out that dacite magma was also expelled during the
eruption.

What products did the volcano expel during its eruption?

The eruption expelled a tremendous amount of sulfur dioxide (SO 2), sulfate aerosols, sub-
micron droplets that contributed to the alteration of the atmosphere and the depletion of the
ozone, dacite magma, some tracks of pumice, and of course, ash particles.

[ CITATION Jas00 \l 13321 ]

What hazards associated to volcanoes are observed in this eruption?
Provide pictures for each hazard.
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Debris Pyroclastic
Avalanche Flow
Flow of
Lahar

Ashfall

What is lahar? How is this formed?

Lahar is debris flow composed of significant components of volcanic materials. It can

also be seen as a landslide of volcanic debris mixed with water down the sides of a volcano,
usually precipitated by heavy rainfall.

Lahars are formed by debris avalanches that contain water from snow and ice that
mix with loose debris. It can be caused by pyroclastic flows and surges, natural dam failure
(lava flow dam), or from rainfall on loose material such as ash.

Enumerate places that were greatly affected by the eruption. What do you think
is the reason why these places are greatly affected?

The places most affected by the eruption were Zambales, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
Another province greatly affected was Nueva Ecija. They were affected tremendously in
terms of infrastructural damages. This was because they were close to where Mount
Pinatubo stood and the ridiculous amount of ash and volcanic gas deposits that erupted from
the explosion got to them faster, thus doing a lot of damage.

What other effects did this eruption contribute?

During the eruption, 16 commercial aircrafts were damaged in-flight. More than 800
people were killed, mostly due to the direct blast impact and the collapsing of infrastructures
because of the weight of the ash from the ash fall. It also greatly affected the Philippine
Economy, as it reduced the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). It also reduced the
global average temperature by 0.4 by decreasing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth,
and at the same time contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer.
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What precautionary measures were undertaken before the eruption, if there are
any?

Before the eruption, Mount Pinatubo was dormant for almost 500 years, as its activeness
paused a long time ago. The eruption was unexpected; hence, people were not able to undertake
any precautionary measures that could have helped them beforehand.

What precautionary measures were undertakes after the eruption, if there are
any?

People were advised to stay alert for aftershocks and to avoid infrastructures that can
tumble or fall down on top of them. Evacuations took place and other areas not quite near to the
volcano were still alerted of low-level seismic activity. Others who are critically near it were advised
to flee from the area.

Based on this data, propose precautionary measures that could be done before,
during, and after a volcanic eruption.

Before:

Mount Pinatubo’s violent eruption was a shock to everyone since it was known to be
inactive for a very long time. This means that authorities should always monitor any possible seismic
or volcanic activity that may occur in order to make advanced preparations to minimize any
casualties and damage. People near any volcanic structure must stand-by and always pay attention
to the announcements made by the government and should always be prepared in case of the need
of immediate evacuation.

During:

Listen to the authorities for any helpful announcements. Pay attention and follow the
emergency protocols or evacuation plans if any. Stay far away from the volcano as much as possible.

After:

Wait until authorities say it is fine to wander about and return home. Stay alert for updates
on aftershocks, or maybe post-successive eruptions.

Bibliography
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Bautista, C. B. (10, June 1999). The Mount Pinatubo Disaster and the People of Central Luzon.
Retrieved from PHIVOLCS: Fire and Mud: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pinatubo/cbautist/

Diggles, M. (2005, February 28). The Cataclysmic 1991 Eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines.
Retrieved from USGS: Science For Changing The World: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-
97/

Eldredge, S. (2008). THREE MAIN TYPES OF VOLCANOES AND UTAH VOLCANOES. Retrieved from
UTAH Geological Survey: http://geology.utah.gov/popular/general-
geology/volcanoes/three-main-types-of-volcanoes-and-utah-volcanoes/

Riley, C. M. (2007). Lahars. Retrieved from Geological and Mining Engineering:

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/hazards/primer/lahar.html

Wikimedia C. (2015, September 1). Mount Pinatubo. Retrieved from Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pinatubo

Wolfe, J. (2000, September 5). Volcanoes and Climate Change . Retrieved from Earth Observatory:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Volcano/