10 years ago Mount
Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted spewing ash and lava across
the countryside northwest of Manila. A lake in the crater
was formed later which has slowly filled with rainwater creating
a potential disaster. If the side of the volcano’s crater
were breached, an avalanche of 60 million cubic meters of
water, combined with mud, ash and volcanic debris -- called
lahar could inundate the surrounding villages and farmland.
In an effort to stop an impending disaster,
some 40,000 residents were evacuated as vulcanologists began
to bleed 24 million cubic meters of water through the lowest
point on its rim, a crack known as the Maraunot notch. With
the water beginning to seep out along a specially dug channel,
officials say they are confident it is safe enough for local
residents to go home. CNN
reports on the draining of the lake »
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