christic@labrea.Stanford.EDU (06/15/91)
/* Written 6:59 pm Jun 13, 1991 by gn:aldopacific in cdp:pn.alerts */
/* ---------- "Philippines Volcano Nuclear Alert" ---------- */
>From The Guardian, Manchester/London, 13 June 1991, Pp. 1 and 22.
"A nuclear alert was issued last night by the US after servicemen
were forced to abandon the Clark air base in the Philippines following another
series of huge explosions at the Mt. Pinatubo volcano.
"Cruise missiles at the base, in transit to the US, are not
in the deepest underground bunkers usually reserved for them,
and the Pentagon was told by local officers, "We are abandoning
the base to nature".
"Hong Kong and the Philippine government were both informed
that a nuclear accident in the region was possible.
"Volcanic ash started to block ventilation shafts to the
complex of bunkers at the base.... The US thinks the bunkers
can withstand the fall of ash but there are fears that as the
lava flows increase the concrete might break up or molten rock
could find a way in. Conventional weapons stored in the same
bunkers would cause a huge explosion but the nuclear warheads
are likely to burn rather than explode, limiting the radioactive
release." (What does that mean.... that it won't reach the USA?!)
Alastair McIntosh.