String of Natural Disasters Runs Its Course Across Continents
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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.
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