The Soufrière Hills volcano (French "Sulphur" Hills) 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 more than half of Montserrat uninhabitable, destroying the capital city, Plymouth, and causing widespread evacuations: about two thirds of the population left the island. Seismic activity had occurred in 1897-98, 1933-37, and again in 1966-67, but the eruption that began on July 18, 1995 was the first since the 17th century.[2] 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 nineteen people. The island's airport was directly in the path of the main pyroclastic flow and was destroyed.[3] 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.[4]
Ash Plume from Soufrière Hills, March 10, 2004
The volcano is andesitic in nature and the current 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, 2006, 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.
There was an explosive eruption at Soufriere Hills Volcano starting at 11:27 pm local time on Monday 28th July 2008 without any precursory activity. Pyroclastic Flow lobes reached Plymouth. These involved juvenile material originating from collapse of the eruption column. Further, a small part of the eastern side of the lava dome collapsed generating a pyroclastic flow in Tar River Valley. Several large explosions were registered, with the largest at approximately 11:38 pm. The height of the ash column was estimated at 12 kilometres (40,000 feet) above sea level.
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.
The airport destroyed by the eruption of The Soufrière Hills Volcano
Soufrière Hills is also the namesake of the Jimmy Buffett song "Volcano".[5]
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