The Volcano Tourist

Volcanoes have been always part of the Earth's natural history and have continued to shape human history. In some instances, volcanoes may generate fear. Consequently, these may stimulate feelings of awe, excitement and wonder. In the Philippines, Mount Pinatubo's eruption in 1991 has been dubbed as the second largest of the 20th century. This event has directly affected the Aeta (the indigenous group of people living on the slopes of the volcano) and non-indigenous communities in the nearby provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. Less than 800 people died due to direct and indirect causes of the eruption. Apart from these, the country suffered from US$1 billion worth of economic losses. Its after effects from ash clouds have affected the world by lowering global temperature and lahar flows have consistently threatened the local communities. Ten years after, this active volcano that was once feared slowly blossomed as one of the region's prime tourist attractions