Before the catastrophic eruption of

Before the catastrophic eruption of 1991, Pinatubo was an inconspicuous volcano, unknown to most people in the surrounding areas.
Its was 1,745 m above sea level.
Only about 600 m above nearby plains.
About 200 m higher than surrounding peaks, which largely obscured it from view.
The indigenous people, also known as the Aeta, had lived on the slopes of the volcano and in surrounding areas for several centuries.
The had fled the lowlands to escape persecution by the Spanish.