The Pinatubo eruption of 1991 is consideredthe second largest eruption of

the century [1].The volcanic ash cloud that reached 22 miles high [1] settled

around Mount Pinatubocovered around 4,000 kilometers of ground [2]. This

caused the burning and destructionof the plants and houses.Though the

volcano initially erupted on June 15th, small eruptions continued into

September [1]. It was due to the constant )ow of ash that the volcanic dust

stayed in the air so long, e*ectively dimming the sun. Unfortunately, the

volcano was situated near a populated area. The initial explosion killed 350

people due to roof collapses; the numberraisedto 722 people from disease

and mud )ows[2].

My uncle Bill, a Sergent in the marine corps at the time, helped with the

clean up of the aftermath of the eruption."During the 1991

volcaniceruption of mount Pinatuboin the Philippines, NavyShips

embarked large numbers of civiliansof all ages for the two day passage to a

safe island [3]." One of these ships was the USS Peleliu, the ship my uncle

was assigned to. While stationed there, Bill slept on the deck of the ship to

make room for the citizens who slept in the hull. Clean up took a long

time.In the end, 200,000 people lost their homes [2].

[1] Newhall, HendleyII, Stau*er.

2005.pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/

[2] National Center for EnvironmentalInformation.

n/a.www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/stratoguide/pinfeat.html

[3] Hoisington, B., !

2003.www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=7575