Operation Fiery Vigil Response and Recovery - Mount Pinatubo Eruptions June 1991 Orientation Orientation (cont.) Orientation (cont.) • Luzon Province – Largest island in the Philippine archipelago • MAGTF 4-90 deployed to the Republic of the Philippines following a coup attempt against the Aquino government Orientation (cont.) • Clark Air Force Base, Angeles – Approx. 18,000 US personnel and dependants • Subic Naval Base, Olongapo – Approx. 20,000 US personnel and dependants Situation • July 1990 – 7.8 earthquake 100 km (62 miles) NE of Mt. Pinatubo • March 1991 – Several nuns walking in the vicinity of Mt. Pinatubo noticed smoke coming from vents in the ground – Volcano last erupted ~500 years ago • PHILVOCs and personnel from the USGS dispatched to the area to begin monitoring Situation (cont.) • The caldera of Mt. Pinatubo began to grow, and the mountain begins to put out plumes of ash • PHILVOCs became concerned that there is an increasing chance of a catastrophic eruption • On 7 JUN 91, Pinatubo erupted, sending up a 7 km (4.5 mi) high plume of ash – Thin layer of dust reached Subic Situation (cont.) • The PHILVOCs express concern about the possibility of a serious eruption in the near future • What would be your plan at this point? • 10 June 1991 - the commanding general of Clark Air Force Base ordered an evacuation to Subic Naval Base – 18,000 Air Force personnel and their dependents made the trip—mostly in their own vehicles Situation (cont.) • Subic began to receive the influx of refugees • What are your immediate needs? • Living space was at a premium • 14 JUN 91 – A larger eruption coated Subic with a thicker layer of ash • PHILVOCs advised that a catastrophic eruption was imminent—within 24 hours – All MAGTF personnel were recalled from liberty – Command Post was activated Situation (cont.) • 15 JUN 91 – Mt Pinatubo erupted catastrophically – Over 6 cubic miles of material were ejected up to 22 miles high and 300 miles across Pyroclastic Flows Situation (cont.) • Tropical Storm Yunya • Ash clouds/darkness • Volcanic “bombs” • Lightning storms • Earthquakes • Building collapses Filipino Refugees Response • At this point, what are your response concerns? • Minimal loss of life – 3 US deaths – 300-700 Filipino deaths out of ~1 million living in a 30 mile radius • Numerous building destroyed • Lack of food/water/power – Hygiene issues Response (cont.) • What is your plan for the situation? • Evacuation from Subic – USS Abraham Lincoln – Airhead in Cebu – Follow-on evacuation to: • Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan • Anderson AFB, Guam • McChord AFB, Washington • Base recovery – MV Jack Lummus Area of Initial Impact • Initial eruption did little damage to Clark AFB • Subsequent lahars responsible for most of the damage Lahars Recovery • What is your priority? • Power Grid • Water • Ash removal – Naval magazines – Airfield • Looting Aftermath • Mt. Pinatubo eruption was the second most powerful eruption in the past 100 years • Before eruption: 1,755m (5225 ft) high • After eruption: 1,485m (4872) high • Ash deposits up to 600 ft thick • Change in global weather/temp for several years Mt. Pinatubo Video • http://www.schooltube.com/video/ec451904 08bf79b639fb/ Lake Pinatubo 2001– A New Concern Questions?.