The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday commemorated the 35th anniversary of the 15 June 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century.

Phivolcs said the eruption generated massive ashfall, pyroclastic flows and lahar flows that devastated communities across Central Luzon.

More than 200,000 families, including indigenous Aeta communities, were affected by the disaster.

The eruption claimed 847 lives and caused extensive damage to agriculture, the environment and local economies in Zambales and neighboring provinces.

Mount Pinatubo, a 1,486-meter stratovolcano in the Zambales mountain range, produced pyroclastic density currents that spread across hundreds of square kilometers.