REACTION ABOUT VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS THAT HAPPEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

It was 10 years ago, on June 15, 2001, when Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted with a
tremendous force, ejecting vast amounts of ash and gas high into the atmosphere; so high that the
volcano’s plume penetrated into the stratosphere. Based on my research, it is the second-largest volcanic
eruption of this century, and by far the largest eruption to affect a densely populated area, occurred at
Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. It was the day the world went dark.

The eruption produced high-speed avalanches of hot ash and gas, giant mudflows, and a cloud of
volcanic ash hundreds of miles across. The impacts of the eruption continue to this day. Even though I
didn’t experience the aftermath of Mouth Pinatubo, I still sympathize our countrymen during that time.
They remain strong despite its eruption being unpredictable. Even the fine ash fall could cause breathing
problems, especially among young children and the elderly, and advised the public in affected areas to
use face masks or wet towels to protect themselves. It also advised motorists that the ash could reduce
visibility and make roads slippery.

After the explosive eruptions, posing a more serious and lingering threat to life, property and
environment were the onslaught of lahars. Within hours after the eruption, heavy rains began to wash
deposits of volcanic ash and debris from the slopes down into the surrounding lowlands in giant, fast-
moving mudflows. I felt honestly devastated, knowing that lots of people died—approximately up to 800
people were killed and 100,000 became homeless. Not only that, we also lost our source of income such
as deterioration of water quality, fewer periods of rain, crop damages, and the destruction of vegetation.
I’m pretty sure that this surely have caused trauma to all of us but the good thing is that some are still
alive up to this day.

The eruption of 1991 was really dangerous, but luckily there was an evacuation. With that
evacuation they saved tens of thousands of lives. The volcano is still dangerous, but after the eruption in
1991 it became less dangerous. Volcanic eruptions give a lot of damage most of the time, also in the
eruption in 1991. For me, I believe that no one can beat the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
Eruptions also provide good things, like fertile ground. Also, it turns out that after the destructive
explosion, it will give you a beautiful scenery aftermath. As cliché as may it sound but we have this quote
saying, “Even after the worst storms, the sun will shine again” which means that, we should not worry if
everything in your life is dark, and you are unable to see anything other darkness everywhere. Look
ahead, do not despair or slow down your firm walk, because finally with one good step, the path lights up
again. However, we can’t deny the fact that during eruptions people die or get wounded and after an
eruption you have to build up everything again. So eruptions influence humans on a good and bad way.