Ashes Could Make Ceramics, Bricks

Filipinos living in the shadows of Mt. Pinatubo may find uses for the tons of volcanic ash that have ravaged their towns and villages, scientists said Thursday.

Since it began erupting June 9, the volcano has dumped hundreds of millions of tons of ash and rock fragments on towns and land within 24 miles of the mountain.

“Right now we are looking into the possibility of using the volcanic ash to make ceramics, which is what they do in Japan,” said chief geologist Edwin Domingo of the Bureau of Mines.

Jars, plates, cups, figurines and other decorative items could be made from the ash. This would provide a livelihood for thousands of villagers displaced by the eruption of the volcano, 60 miles north of Manila, he said in an interview.

It might be possible to use the ash to make cement and bricks to rebuild homes damaged by the eruption, Domingo said.