Mapanuepe Lake
Mapanuepe Lake | |
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![]() The lake in 1992 with the three settlements already submerged | |
Location | Zambales,Luzon Island |
Coordinates | 14°59′0″N120°17′30″E/ 14.98333°N 120.29167°E |
Type | Lahar-dammed lake |
Primary inflows | Mapanuepe and Marella River |
Primary outflows | Santo Tomas River[1] |
Basincountries | Philippines |
First flooded | 1991-1992 |
Max. length | 4.1 kilometres (2.5 mi) |
Max. width | 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) |
Surface area | 648 hectares (1,600 acres) |
Max. depth | 25 metres (82 ft) |
Shore length1 | 33 kilometres (21 mi) |
Surface elevation | 129 metres (423 ft) |
Islands | Ten small islets |
Settlements | San Marcelino |
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1Shore length isnot a well-defined measure. |
Mapanuepe Lakeis a freshwaterlakelocated in themunicipalityofSan Marcelino,Zambalesin thePhilippines.The lake was created after the cataclysmic eruption ofMount Pinatuboin 1991.Laharsfollowing the eruptionblocked the drainageof Mapanuepe River, south of thevolcano,flooding Mapanuepe Valley together with its settlements. Only thesteepleof the church protruding out of the water remained from one of the villages.[2]
History
[edit]Mapanuepe lake is located at theconfluenceof Marella and Mapanuepe Rivers as the two rivers merge to become the Santo Tomas River. The subsequent rains following the 1991 eruption ofMount Pinatuboproducedlaharthat dumped volcanic debris on the Marella River, one of the major drainages of the mountain, aggrading the river that eventually dammed the Mapanuepe River. The rising waters submerged the Mapanuepe Valley including thebarangaysof Aglao (lower), Buhawen and Pili ofSan Marcelino,Zambales.During the development of the lake, breaching and reforming of the debris dam occurred following each lahar episode. At its maximum extent, the lake grew to an area of 670 hectares (1,700 acres) and had a stored water volume of 75 x 106cubic meters (98,000,000 cu yd) before reaching its current state. The only structure that remains is a church tower with a huge metal cross right in the middle of the lake.[3]Prior to the 1991 eruption, studies ofgeologic formationsandsedimentsof Mapanuepe Valley showed that the area was the site of a similar lahar-formed lake from old eruptions.[2]
Water quality
[edit]The lake water is reportedly contaminated with mercury leaking from the abandoned DizonCopper Mineon the east shore of the lake. However, harmful chemicals are now diluted and the lake is believed to be safe for diving and fishing.[4]
Popular culture
[edit]- The lake was featured on Episode 10 in the second season ofDestination Truth,anAmericanTV show on theSci-Fi Channel,titledAhool and PinatuboMonsters.The Destination Truth team made an investigation following reports by local fishermen of mysterious, giant, and black fish-like creatures swimming on the lake labeled as the "Pinatubo Monster" by the show.[5]
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Map of the major rivers originating from Mount Pinatubo
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Mapanuepe Lake before the eruption and after the formation in 1991
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A closer look at the confluence of Marella and Mapanuepe Rivers before the eruption with the location of the old settlements that were submerged
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Rodolfo, Kelvin S.; Umbal, Jesse V."Two Years of Lahars on the Western Flank of Mount Pinatubo".U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.
- ^ab"The 1991 Lahars of Southwestern Mount Pinatubo and Evolution of the Lahar-Dammed Mapanuepe Lake".U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.
- ^"The World Behind My Wall: Look Ma, No Mutation".theworldbehindmywall.com. 2011-04-11.RetrievedAugust 15,2011.
- ^"Mapanuepe Lake: Look Ma, No Mutation".
- ^"Destination Truth - Ahool and Pinatubo Episode".SyFy Channel. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.