15/06/2026
OT CAPTURED | ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ ๐. ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐๐ฏ๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฏ๐ฑ๐๐ต ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐
ZAMBALES โ Filipino and international scientists returned to Mt. Pinatubo on June 12, 2026, ahead of the 35th anniversary of its historic 1991 eruption, which remains one of the most powerful volcanic events of the 20th century.
The visit capped an international conference that brought together scientists who played key roles in monitoring, studying, and forecasting the 1991 eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo. Their work, in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology under the Department of Science and Technology, helped guide critical decisions during one of the countryโs most significant disaster events.
Among those who joined the trek were Dr. Heather Wright, director of the VDAP Cascades Volcano Observatory, and Dr. Beth Bartell of the Cascades Volcano Observatory, both from the United States Geological Survey. Retired USGS geologists Dr. Andy Lockhart and Dr. Christopher โChrisโ Newhall also took part in the visit.
The group also included Dr. Marta Calvache, vice president of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earthโs Interior; Dr. Arturo Daag, associate scientist of DOST; Dr. Raymond Maximo and Timothy John Daita, science research specialists of DOST-PHIVOLCS; and Rey Lumbang, resident volcanologist of the Pinatubo Volcano Observatory.
Mt. Pinatuboโs 1991 eruption forced massive evacuations, reshaped communities across Central Luzon, and left lasting impacts on Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, and nearby areas. The event also became a major reference point in global volcanology because of the successful monitoring and early warnings that helped save many lives.
The scientistsโ return to the volcano served as both a technical and historical moment, reconnecting experts with a site that changed the way volcanic hazards, forecasting, and disaster preparedness are understood in the Philippines and abroad.
For communities around Mt. Pinatubo, the anniversary is a reminder of the importance of science-based monitoring, public preparedness, and cooperation between local authorities, national agencies, and international experts.
The visit also honored the continuing work of PHIVOLCS and partner institutions in watching over active volcanoes and helping communities prepare for natural hazards.
Courtesy: PHIVOLCS
