VDAP Pinatubo Images

Successful monitoring, analysis, and communication at Mount Pinatubo

The cataclysmic eruption of Mount Pinatubo on June 15, 1991 was the second largest eruption of the 20th Century. It was about 10 times larger than Mount St. Helens in 1980. Using tools and techniques developed at Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes in the 1980s, a combined USGS/PHIVOLCS team was able to accurately forecast the eruption and work to move people and property out of harm's way. Five years after its founding, the VDAP concept was fully validated.

Below are images of Mount Pinatubo from 1991. Click on each image for a larger view.

  • Aerial view of Pinatubo, 1 Apr 91

  • Eruption plume

  • Caldera on 22 Jun 91

  • Father's Day movie sign

  • TOMS showing how ash had circled the globe by 30 Jun 91

  • Loading the helicopter

  • GOES image from 15 Jun 91

  • Aerial view of Pinatubo

  • Clark Air Force Base hangers

  • Field assessments of activity

  • Cars at Clark Air Force Base, 16 Jun 91

  • Crossing the widened river.

  • River drainage, 1 Jul 91

  • Climatic eruption on 15 Jun 91

  • DC-10 weighted down with ash, 17 Jun 91

  • Broken bridge, 25 Jun 91

  • Kids on a roof