Montserrat Volcano

On what type of boundary does Montserrat lie?

At a convergent boundary.

How developed is Montserrat?

A developing economy.

2009 GDP £162.7 million, 2011 £167.4 million.

What is the country's biggest GDP in?

Services - 90.3% as of 2017.

But, at the time of the eruption relied on primary industries.

What impact did the eruption have due to its critical infrastructure?

Its infrastructure like hospitals, main airport, banks in south, the initial 1995-97 eruptions paralysed the islands capacity to function.

Where did people evacuate to?

2/3 of the islands 11,000 residents permanently fled to the UK, neighbouring Caribbean islands or elsewhere, draining the working age population.

What was established in 1995?

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory established in 1995 to monitor eruptive phases.

How did this eruption begin?

Lava domes were creatures due to viscous, silica rich lava building up at top of the volcano.

When it becomes too heavy, the domes collapse, creating andesitic lava and pyroclastic flows.

What erupted from the southern Chances Peak volcano in the Soufriere Hills?

Eruptions of ash and dust in July 1995 prompted immediate response

What happened on 25 June 1997?

Chances Peak catastrophically erupted.

Lava dome collapsed, sending 5 million cubic metres of hot rocks and gases down its sides.

What happens to the south of the island due to this?

Was covered by pyroclastic flows of hot ash, rocks, boulders and lahars.

What was created due to pyroclastic flows?

Fires which killed 19 people, with a number of burn and inhalation injuries.

What happened to houses?

2/3 of all houses either buried by ash or flattened by rocks.

What happened to the airport?

Completely destroyed.

What happened to farmland and vegetation?

Was destroyed, and ¾ of all infrastructure destroyed.

More than half of 11,000 people in population evacuated to Antigua, USA and UK.

How high were the ash columns produced?

Ejected a 15km column of ash into atmosphere.