geologic disaster
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Geology
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Feb 20, 2024
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Madison Farris Geology Professor Low 4 December 2023 Geologic Disaster The Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption consisted of an explosive eruption that resulted in toxins being dispersed into the atmosphere. The result of this volcanic eruption was ash spread for miles in the Philippines and contributing to roofs collapsing. The volcano erupted in 1991 for
the first time in 600 years. It reached a maximum height of 4800 feet before its official eruption. The eruptions took place in mid June and lasted for 4 days. Geographic Location Mount Pinatubo is located in western Luzon, Philippines. It is located 55 miles north of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.
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Figure 1 In Figure 1, Mount Pinatubo is placed in the center of the map and labels the surrounding lahars near the volcano. The lahars are located dangerously close to the US Clark air base which resulted in its closure following the eruption of the volcano. Figure 2
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Figure 2 highlights the pyroclastic deposits, lahar deposits, isopachs of airfall deposits, as
well as the areas occupied by towns or resettlement sites. As labeled in the map, there were many
lahar deposits in areas that people lived in. This resulted in them being forced to evacuate and flee farther east. Figure 3 In Figure 3, there is a detailed description of the types of boundaries in the Philippines area. As shown, Mount Pinatubo was a transform boundary directly near two subduction zones.
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Destruction of Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo erupted two separate times in both 1991 and 1992. In 1991, this volcano spread ash and smoke for 28 miles resulting in debris spreading a similar distance. The eruption caused 840 deaths and 100,000 people facing homelessness. The effects of the blast resulted in millions of tons of sulfur dioxide hazardously contaminating the air. The pollutants caused global
temperatures to drop 1 degree Fahrenheit (Ghose 2023). In August of 1992, the volcano erupted for a second time and killed 72 people. The largest destruction was to the infrastructure of the Philippines. Including roofs collapsing, damage to bridges, roads, irrigation- canal systems, and crop land (Wesby & Phillips 2016). Geologic Setting This volcano is a stratovolcano that is a part of a volcanic arc. The volcano was formed near two subduction zones. The Philippine and Eurasian plates were responsible for the forming of this volcano. Mount Pinatubo was a transform boundary between the two plates. Specific Causes of Disaster The official eruption in June was forecasted by a series of smaller explosions that took place months prior. The volcano was emitting sulfur and steam that seismologists used to predict its ultimate eruption. A few days before the eruption, volcano-tectonic earthquakes began to take place with the volcano beginning to bubble up portraying the idea it would soon erupt. The ultimate cause of the disaster was the combination of plate tectonics and gas-charged magma (Wesby & Phillips 2016).
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Expectations of Future Eruption
The likelihood of this volcano erupting again is most likely possible due to its active eruption. A year following the 1991 eruption, the volcano erupted again killing 70 more people. Due to its proximity to the Philippines and Eurasian plates, it is likely the volcano will erupt again. However, seismologists are unsure when it will erupt and the magnitude of its eruption. Speculation about Avoiding Destruction
Due to the efforts of seismologists and scientists in the area, they were extremely proactive in predicting the eruption of this stratovolcano. Following the smaller emissions days before the eruption, more than 15,000 non-essential personnel were evacuated from the immediate area. Due to their efforts, more than 5,000 people were saved and $250 million in property damage was saved because of the early evacuation. Continuing these protocols and predicting its eruption will safely allow citizens to evacuate and be able to transport without emissions of ash, roads collapsing, or any harm in the way of their safe travel.
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References List Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2023, November 10). Mount Pinatubo
. Encyclopedia Britannica
. https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Pinatubo
Ghose, Tia. (2023 June 10). The 12 Biggest Volcanic Eruptions in Recorded History. Live Science.
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/volcanos/the-12-biggest-volcanic-
eruptions-in-recorded-history
Westby, Elizabeth. Phillips, David. (2016 June,13). Remembering Mount Pinatubo 25 Years Ago.
United States Geological Survey- Communications and Publishing. https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/remembering-mount-pinatubo-25-years-ago-
mitigating-a-crisis#partners
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