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Mount Soufrière - Montserrat (1995-1997) (Response to the Montserrat…
Mount Soufrière - Montserrat (1995-1997)
Monteserrat
Tiny island in the Carribean
12km N-S; 8km E-W
Economy based on farming, fishing + tourism
Relatively poor LEDC
map:
Cause of the Volcanic Eruption
Mount Soufrière
(
south east
of the island)
Composite volcano
- alternating layers of ash + lava
Dormant for 100 years until 1995
Destructive plate boundary
where the Atlantic plate slides beneath the Carribean plate (subduction zone)
Diagram:
Effects of the volcanic eruption
Primary Effects
Ash, dust lava + poisonous gases are emitted
Ash, dust, lava + pebbles ⇨ Tephra
Tephra falls heavily on buildings causing them to collapse
Ash + dust ⇨ respiratory problems
Agricultural land is smothered
Hot ash + pyroclastic flows cause destruction
Volcanic gases e.g. carbon dioxide / sulfur dioxide are harmful to living organisms + the environment
19 deaths
100 injured
Homes, businesses + important infrastructure destroyed
Main port + settlement, Plymouth destroyed
Sewage systems affected - health problems
Secondary Effects
Lahars (water mixing with volcanic ash)
Chaos arising from government buildings being destroyed
Onset of disease ⇨ temporary shelters with unsanitary conditions breeds infection
Environmental damage to beaches, forests + wildlife
Population decline ⇨ skill shortage due to emigration ⇨ Economy decline with unemployment (50%)
Tourism decline
Housing shortages (70% increase in rent)
Response to the Montserrat Volcanic Eruption
5000 people evacuated to the safe zone (north)
Links to the UK ⇨ provided relief + recovery
Royal Navy sent ships ⇨ 4000 people were evacuated to Antigua
Islanders offered £2500 ⇨ permanently live in the UK
NGOs e.g. British Red Cross organised evacuation camps
Permanent monitoring stations - activity all over the island