Montserat Volcanic Eruption 1995-97

Question 1

Nature of the eruption

Answer 1

The volcano had been dormant for over 300 years but started to erupt on the 18th July 1995
Pyroclastic flows flowed North down valleys
Eruptions of dust and gas
Chances Peak remained active for 5 years
The most violent and intense eruptions occurred in 1997

Question 2

Impacts- short term

Answer 2

Only 40% of the island was considered safe to live on
19 people who chose to remain on their farms died (uneducated)
7 villages including 175 homes were almost completely destroyed
Farmland and livestock killed
Estimated 80% of buildings in Plymouth (the capital) were damaged or destroyed

Question 3

Impacts- long term

Answer 3

With the closure of the airport and the ongoing threat if eruptions, the tourist industry stopped
Loss of services
Rise in unemployment from 7% to 50%
Mass migration- 7000 of the islands pre eruption population has left the island completely (skill shortages)

Question 4

Responses

Answer 4

During and after the eruption, the British government helped as Montserrat was still a dependent territory
An exclusion zone was set up in the south
Temporary shelters in the north
Evacuation of many of the islands inhabitants with hell of the Royal Navy to neighbouring islands or resettlement in the U.K.
Rebuilding of permanent housing
Re establishment of air and sea links
Setting up the Montserrat volcano observatory to monitor volcanic activity

Question 5

Location

Answer 5

A small island in the Caribbean
In an island arc
Destructive margins
Subduction of the North American plate under the less dense Caribbean plate