Rediscovery of the “extinct” Pinatubo volcano mouse
A small mouse rediscovered on a volcano that erupted 30 years ago provides hope for wildlife conservation in the Philippines.
In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo, a volcanic peak on the Philippine Island of Luzon, literally blew its top. It was the second-most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century, ten times stronger than Mount Saint Helens, and its effects were devastating. Lava and ash spewed into the surrounding environment in the Zambales Mountains, pooling in layers up to 600 feet thick in the valleys. Following the eruption, powerful typhoons and monsoon rains triggered landslides and ash flows that continued for many months. Eight hundred people lost their lives, and the lush forests that covered the mountain prior to the eruption were destroyed or severely damaged. In recent years, scientists returned to the region to survey the surviving mammal populations, and in a new paper in the Philippine Journal of Science,
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Almost 30 years ago, Mount Pinatubo of the Philippines erupted. It became the second-most powerful volcanic eruption in the 20th century, which is equivalent to ten times the Mount Saint Helens eruption, leaving a devastating mark in the area.
The volcano spewed lava and ash, covering 600 feet thick the Zambales Mountains. After the eruption, the country also experienced powerful typhoons and monsoon rains that triggered landslides in the areas, while the ash flow continued for months. Unfortunately, 800 people lost their lives, and the once lush forests have also been destroyed.
But what most people are unaware of, there are also some mammals that were greatly affected by that tragedy that killed all of their populations. Thirty years later, a new paper published in the
Scientists rediscover adorable rare volcano mouse thought to be extinct
The mouse species survived a devastating volcano eruption in the Philippines. Listen - 01:54
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This is the cute little critter rediscovered on the Pinatubo volcano on the Philippine Island of Luzon. Danny Balete/Field Museum
Good news: A tiny mouse thought to be extinct has been found again, and it s thriving.
Mount Pinatubo on the island Luzon in the Philippines erupted violently in 1991, killing hundreds and destroying the landscape around it. Later expeditions to study the wildlife in the area turned up the surprising survival of a diverse group of fauna, including bats and a very rare volcano-dwelling mouse.
Credit: (c) Danny Balete, Field Museum
In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo, a volcanic peak on the Philippine Island of Luzon, literally blew its top. It was the second-most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century, ten times stronger than Mount Saint Helens, and its effects were devastating. Lava and ash spewed into the surrounding environment in the Zambales Mountains, pooling in layers up to 600 feet thick in the valleys. Following the eruption, powerful typhoons and monsoon rains triggered landslides and ash flows that continued for many months. Eight hundred people lost their lives, and the lush forests that covered the mountain prior to the eruption were destroyed or severely damaged. In recent years, scientists returned to the region to survey the surviving mammal populations, and in a new paper in the Philippine Journal of Science, the team announced the rediscovery of a species of mouse that had long been feared to be extinct.