2nd April 1991 - steam emission coming from mountain - monitored by PHIVOLCS
10km radios danger zone declared
USGS arived with seismometers, tiltmeters and other equipment
monitored activity of volcano - 40 - 150 earthquakes per day
sulphur dioxide went from 500 tonnes to 5,000 tonnes per day in five weeks
volcano erupted five time in 2,000 years = explosive eruption
1 of 5
Prepartion
Produced hazard maps to indicate the nature and extent of eruption
Earthquake frequency increased and sulphur dioxide levels decreases – magma was holding gas – eruption would be highly explosive
Evacuations were orders on the 3 June – 20,000 living within a 10km radius, 7th June – 120,000 people living within a 18km radius
Volcano erupted on 15th June – 6 days after the last evacuation
2 of 5
Evaluation of preparation
Hazard maps were accurate – all areas affected were predicted to be affected
Small numbers killed – around 850 million
USGS/PHIVOLS estimates –
5,000 to 20,000 lives saved – predictions and evacuations
20 of 20,000 Aeta highlanders living on volcano killed
Monitoring cost - $1.5million, Evacuations - $1.5million (less than expected)
Hazard maps underestimated the extent of the hazards – map predicted ash would fall over a 40km radius but it travelled 65km in places.
Unfortunate coincidence of Typhoon Yunga – heavy rains increased weight on buildings causing more damage than expected.
3 of 5
Evaluation of immediate reponse
National Disaster Coordinating mobilised to aid the evacuation, rescue and relief response – included providing health and basic education in evacuation centres.
Health advisories issued to inform people of how to deal with ash – fine particles of ash could lead to eye irritation or asthma attacks
Disease was a major issue in evacuation centres – around 600 of 850 deaths result as disease. Example – 30,000 people used Amoranto Velodrome, other relocated to shanty towns in cities like Angles – disease spread.
4 of 5
Evaluation of responce long term
System set up to monitor the vibrations of passing lahars and warn of lahars. This system saves hundreds of lives – warnings enabled to be sounded for most major lahars but not all at Pinatubo 1991
Evacuees needed resettled and helped to re-establish their livelihoods. June 1991 – government set up Task Force Mt Pinatubo – 6-year mandate, 10-billiuon-peso fund. This was to assist establishment of resettlement centres, provide employment and livelihood opportunities for victims and repair damage to infrastructure.
Engineers effort to tap lahars behind levees and dams failed
Dozens of people killed by lahars since 1991 – especially on Pasig-Potrero river three major lahars occurred – 1991, 1992 and 19941
Comments
No comments have yet been made