Mt. Unzen , the site of Japan 's worst volcanic disaster which killed 15,000 people in 1792 , erupted for the first time in 198 years on Nov. 17 . It erupted in early June killing 41 people . Rain washed ash and rocks down rivers and the ash spread five miles . The volcano is still spewing out gas , rocks and ash . The Philippines ' Mt. Pinatubo is in its fourth week of eruptions after being dormant two years . In Japan, heavy rain sent tons of mud and volcanic debris cascading down Mount Unzen, washing away or damaging at least 70 empty houses and slightly injuring one fleeing resident, officials said today. 338 people were killed and $ 15 million damage caused to crops . Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base were severely damaged . Low - frequency tremors were felt prior to the eruptions .
Mt. Unzen , the site of Japan 's worst volcanic disaster which killed 15,000 people in 1792 , erupted for the first time in 198 years on Nov. 17 . It erupted in early June killing 41 people . Rain washed ash and rocks down rivers and the ash spread five miles . The volcano is still spewing out gas , rocks and ash . The Philippines ' Mt. Pinatubo is in its fourth week of eruptions after being dormant two years . 338 people were killed and $ 15 million damage caused to crops . Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base were severely damaged . Low - frequency tremors were felt prior to the eruptions .