Mount Pinatubo

Distribution p16 Mount Vesuvius p174 Active Earth p220 World countries p236

Mount Pinatubo had lain dormant for 500 years before its spectacular eruption in June 1991. Tens of thousands of people
were evacuated as the volcano spewed hot gas, ash and rock into the atmosphere and over the land. Dust particles and
aerosols from the eruption travelled around the Earth, reducing global temperatures by 0.5 C and increasing destruction
of the ozone layer.
1.

Look at page 16 of the Jacaranda Atlas Sixth Edition.

(a)

Describe the location of Mount Pinatubo.

..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

(b)

2.

Prepare a sketch of the photograph of the eruption (page 16) in the box below. On your diagram, make an
estimate of the height of the ash plume from the eruption.

Satellite images are pictures of the Earth taken from satellites 700 kilometres above the Earths surface. They use
false colours to highlight different features of the land. Look at the satellite image of Mount Pinatubo on page 17 of
the atlas. In this case pink has been used to highlight lahars (mudflows) a mixture of water and volcanic material
such as ash that flows down the sides of the volcano.
(a)

How far does the longest lahar run? ..........................................................................................

(b)

Explain the pattern of lahars to the north of the volcano. What path do they take?
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

(c)

Measure the approximate distance from San Filipe and San Narciso to the crater of Mount Pinatubo.
..............................................................................................................................................................................

John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2007

mt-pinatubo.pdf

(Page 1 of 2)

(d)

Describe the possible effects on these towns from lahars and volcanic ash.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

(e)

Outline the possible response of government and residents to the dangers presented by the eruption of
Mount Pinatubo.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

3.

Compare the lahars (mudflows) on Mount Pinatubo with the satellite image showing lava flows on Mount Vesuvius
(page 175).
(a)

In which years did the longest lava flows on Mount Vesuvius occur? ................................................................

(b)

How do the length of lava flows compare to the length of mudflows on Mount Pinatubo?
..............................................................................................................................................................................

(c)

Suggest a reason to explain the difference identified in question 3(b).

..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

4.

Examine the map showing the extent of the Mount Pinatubo ash cloud on page 17 of the atlas.
(a)

Which countries were affected by the ash cloud?

..............................................................................................................................................................................

(b)

How far did the ash extend from Mount Pinatubo? ..............................................................................................

(c)

In which direction did the ash cloud spread from Mount Pinatubo? Why do you think it spread this way?
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

5.

Look at the map of the Ring of Fire on page 16, and the world countries map on pages 2367 of the atlas.
Name four countries in the western Pacific Ocean that are located on the Ring of Fire.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................

6.

Turn to page 221of the atlas to answer the following questions.

(a)

Explain why most volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean have formed around the edge of the Pacific Plate or other
smaller plates.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

(b)

What is meant by a hotspot?

..............................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2007

mt-pinatubo.pdf

(Page 2 of 2)