MONTSERRAT SOUFRIERE
HILLS VOLCANO
In July 1995, the Soufrière Hills
Volcano rumbled to life after
centuries of slumber, and through a
series of eruptions over the following
years, devastated the southern half of
the island. The capital city, Plymouth, was
buried under ash and rubble, whilst the
airport was forced to close. Around twothirds
of the island’s 12,000 residents had to
evacuate their homes, with many leaving
the island altogether to build new lives in
Britain, the USA or on other neighboring
Caribbean islands.
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MONTSERRAT VOLCANO
OBSERVATORY
The Soufrière Hills Volcano is under constant
supervision by the Montserrat Volcano
Observatory (MVO) in Flemmings. Biweekly
tours at the MVO offer an in-depth
synopsis of the activity, including dramatic
video shows of the recent eruptions and
explanations of monitoring techniques such
as volcanology, seismology, gas emissions,
ground deformation and environmental
impacts. Website: www.mvo.ms.
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PLYMOUTH
(SUBJECT TO VOLCANIC CONDITIONS)
Abandoned in 1997, Montserrat’s capital
Plymouth has been compared to a modern
day Pompeii. Buried deep in ash, the once
thriving business and commercial centre
of the island now resembles a dust-covered
lunar landscape. At present, entry to
Plymouth is subject to favourable conditions
at the Volcano. Please contact the Police
Department before attempting to enter
Exclusion Zone.
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JACK BOY HILL
In the north east of the island is a viewing
facility at Jack Boy Hill, which also provides
an excellent vantage point for volcano
viewing. This facility overlooks the destroyed
WH Bramble Airport, the old estate house,
the site of destroyed eastern villages, now
covered by volcanic pyroclastic fl ows and
of course the volcano. The facility includes
a viewing platform, picnic areas, a viewing
telescope, a mini trail, landscaped grounds,
and washroom facilities.
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