Volcanic Eruption Case Study

Shivay Sachdeva

Soufrière Hill volcano in Montserrat Erupted in 1997

• June 25th 1997• Large - 4-5million m2 of rocks and gas released• 19 people killed• It is above a destructive plate margin – Atlantic

plate forced under the Caribbean plate. Magma rose up through weak points under Soufriere Hills forming an underground pool of magma. The rocks above the pool collapsed, opening a vent and causing the eruption.

Primary Impacts

• Large areas were covered with volcanic material – capital Plymouth was buried under 12m of mud and ash.

• Over 20 villages, 2/3 of homes on islands destroyed by pyroclastic flows.

• Schools, hospitals, airports, ports were destroyed.

• Vegetation and farmland destroyed.• 19 killed, 7 injured.

Secondary Impacts

• Fires destroyed many buildings.• Tourists stayed away, businesses destroyed,

disrupting economy.• Population decline.• Volcanic ash improved soil fertility.• Tourism now increasing, to see islands

volcano.

Immediate Responses

• People evacuated to the safe areas in North.• Shelters were built.• UK provided £17million of emergency aid.• Temporary infrastructure was built.• Local emergency services provided support

units to search for and rescue survivors.

Long-term Responses

• Risk map and exclusion zone in place. South of the island is still off-limits.

• UK provided £41 million to develop North; new docks, airport, houses.

• Montserrat Volcano Observatory set up to predict future eruptions.