2.2.3 Case Study: Montserrat Flashcards
What is Montserrat?
A British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean with composite volcanoes, formed as a result of repeated, violent eruptions. It sits above a destructive plate margin, where the North American plate is being forced under the Caribbean plate.
Long-term responses to the Monserrat volcanic eruption
- A risk map was created and an exclusion zone is in place. The south of the island is off-limits.
- The UK has provided £41m of long-term aid to develop the north of the island – new docks, an airport and houses have been built with this.
- The Montserrat Volcano Observatory has been set up to predict future eruptions.
Short-term responses to the Monserrat volcanic eruption
- People were evacuated from the south to safe areas in the north.
- Shelters were built to house evacuees.
- Temporary infrastructure was built, e.g. roads and electricity supplies.
- The UK provided £17m of emergency aid.
- Local emergency services provided support units to search for and rescue survivors.
Successes of the responses to the Monserrat volcanic eruption
- Loss of life was limited only 19 people died because of the response by the government to ensure people’s safety.
- Exclusion zones were quickly put into place, limiting the number of people visiting the south.
- Total of £420m in financial aid received.
Weaknesses of the responses to the Monserrat volcanic eruption
- Population decreased by over 50% and are not back to pre-1995 levels.
- Financial aid came mostly from the UK. If they were an independent notion, it is likely they wouldn’t have had the money to help this (aid).
- Residents had to relocate. The policy is to move away rather than living with the hazard.
How has Monserrat embraced the eruption in their recovery?
They have launched adventure tourism with the aim of making money seeing the destruction from the volcano’s pyrocylasic flow.
What was the name of the volcano which erupted in Montserrat?
Southern Chances Peak
What happened in Montserrat in 1995?
In 1995, eruptions from the Southern Chances Peak volcano started. This prompted an immediate response.
Scientists were assembled to monitor seismic activity, gases and changes in the volcano’s shape. They discovered it was only dormant, not extinct as previously thought.
The evacuation of the south begin a month afterwards, with residents being moved to churches, and halls in the north of the island. In April 1996, the entire population was forced to leave the capital, Plymouth.
What happened in 1997?
On the 25th June 1997, the Southern Chances Peak volcano erupted catastrophically. The dome of the volcano collapsed. The south of the island, including Plymouth, was covered in pyroclastic flows of hot ash, rocks, boulders and Lahars.
How many people died after the eruptions in Montserrat?
19
How many houses were buried or destroyed by the eruption in Montserrat?
Two thirds of all houses were entirely buried or destroyed.
Social impacts of the Montserrat volcanic eruption?
- 19 people died and seven were injured.
- Hundreds of people lost their homes.
- Fires destroyed many buildings, e.g. local government offices, the police headquarters and petrol stations.
- The population has declined - 50% of the island’s population left after the eruption, and many still haven’t returned.
Environmental impacts of the Montserrat volcanic eruption?
- Large areas were covered with volcanic material - the capital city Plymouth was buried undder 12m of mud and ash.
- Vegetation and farmland were destroyed.
- Volcanic ash from the eruption has improved soil fertility.
Economic impacts of the Montserrat volcanic eruption?
- The total loss in value of people’s homes and investments was estimated to be about £1billion.
- Over 20 villages and two thirds of homes on the island were destroyed by pyroclastic flows.
- Tourists stayed away and businesses were destroyed, disrupting the economy. However, tourism on the island is now increasing as people come to see the volcano.
- Schools, hospitals, the airport and the port were destroyed.
