Unit 9 Case Study: Monserrat Volcano Response and Impacts

Question 1

Up to 2002

Answer 1

The population had risen to 8000 after falling from 11000 pre eruption to 4000 in 1999. This was because jobs were available. There were new buildings, theatres, schools and housing in the north as well as a football pitch at Blakes Estate. There were plans to build a new medical school and a hazard studies school

Question 2

Up to 2009

Answer 2

The population had fallen to 5200 due to a lack of jobs since once the new buildings were built, jobs disappeared. There are plans to redevelop including a new urban centre and port at Little Bay in 2020. One of the developments was a new airstrip which, once built, the UK and US governments stopped subsidising the gerry between Antigua and Monserrat. This made imports and tourism hard with tourism numbers falling and prices rising. Boats can be chartered but this is expensive and many locals were against the airstrip

Question 3

Aid

Answer 3

Many locals lift again to Antigua, Canada, the USA and the UK. Most of the 1997 aid had been used. The UK provided $120 m but said this would stop in 2002 but in 2004 it announced a $50 m aid deal over 3 years

Question 4

Recent and future

Answer 4

In may 2006 the Soufriere dome collapsed causing a tsunami that affected coasts in Guadeloupe, English Harbour and Jolly Harbour in Antigua. The Guadeloupe tsunami was 1 m high and was 20-30cm in Antigua. No injuries occurred but flights were cancelled between Venezuela and Miami and to and from Aruba due to ash. Economic outlook is not good due to lack of aid, difficulty and cost of reaching Monserrat and the islands small size and population