String of Natural Disasters Runs Its Course Across Continents

Volcanoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters struck at week’s end in Asia, South America, the Soviet Union and an island chain in the South Atlantic. Here is a rundown on the burst of activity:

PHILIPPINES--A huge fissure cracked Mt. Pinatubo and scientists said the erupting volcano may be building up to a catastrophic blast. The region was also hit by winds and rains generated by a typhoon, and earthquakes triggered by the volcanic eruptions shook parts of Luzon Island. Many fleeing people were slowed by flooded roads, damaged bridges and foot-deep volcanic ash.

SOVIET UNION--A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck a mountainous region in the southern republic of Georgia, killing at least six people--five of them children--and leveling villages. The quake struck near an area ravaged by an April 29 temblor that killed more than 100 people.

JAPAN--Twenty-nine weak volcanic tremors were registered around Japan’s Mt. Unzen, bringing warnings of possible new eruptions. Earthquakes hit off central Iwate prefecture and the southern island of Amami O Shima. There were no reports of injuries.

SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS--A 6.6-magnitude earthquake shook the remote and uninhabited South Sandwich Islands, a British dependency in the southwest Atlantic Ocean.