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The 'Soufrière Hills volcano' (otherwise nicknamed Montserrat) is an active complex stratovolcano with many lava domes forming its summit on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. After a long period of dormancy it became active in 1995, and has continued to erupt ever since. Its eruptions have rendered much of Montserrat uninhabitable, destroying the capital, Plymouth, and causing widespread evacuations and about two thirds of the population to leave the island.
Seismic activity had occurred at the volcano for most of the 20th century, but 1995 was the first time an eruption had occurred. When pyroclastic flows and mudflows began occurring regularly, Plymouth (the capital city) was evacuated, and a few weeks later a pyroclastic flow covered the city in several metres of debris. A large eruption on June 25 1997 resulted in the deaths of 23 people. The island's airport was directly in the path of the main pyroclastic flow and was destroyed. Montserrat's tourist industry was also destroyed. However, it is now regenerating. The governments of the United Kingdom and Montserrat led the aid effort, including a £41 million package provided to the people of Montserrat; however, riots followed as the people protested that the British Government was not doing enough to aid relief.^[2]


The volcano is andesitic in nature and the current (2007) pattern of activity includes periods of dome growth, punctuated by brief episodes of dome collapse which result in pyroclastic flows, ash venting, and explosive eruption. On December 24, streaks of red from the pyroclastic flows became visible. On January 8, 2007, an evacuation order was issued for areas in the Lower Belham Valley, impacting an additional 100 persons.
The volcano has become one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in the world since its eruption began, with the Montserrat Volcano Observatory taking detailed measurements and reporting on its activity to the government and population of Montserrat. The observatory is operated by the British Geological Survey under contract to the Government of Montserrat.

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1. This elevation is for Chance's Peak, the traditional high point. However the lava dome in English's Crater is currently estimated at over 930 m (2006): see The CIA World Factbook on Montserrat.
2. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,308675,00.html

External links

★ Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) - Current monitoring of the Soufrière Hills Volcano in Montserrat.

★ USGS Info on Soufrière Hills Volcano

★ British Geological Survey