Soufrière Hills Eruption Timeline

January 1992

Seismic activity is first recorded following reinstallation of new seismic instruments after loss during in Hurricane Hugo. Unrest period starts.

18 July 1995

Phreatic activity commences, unrest period ends - small explosion

5. Volcano island

Start Of The Eruption: 18 July 1995

1995

The Volcano & Belham

West (Plymouth)

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2. Moving, Crossing and Leaving

This Is It

1995

1996

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21 August 1995

Evacuation

First major evacuation of 6000 from southern and eastern areas, which lasted for 2 weeks.

5. Volcano island

The Early Days Of The Eruption

1995

1996

The North

The Volcano & Belham

West (Plymouth)

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15 November 1995

Lava first appears at surface, Start of Phase 1 of lava extrusion

3. Everyday moments of life and laughter

It Was Like An Excitement

1995

1996

West (Plymouth)

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Phase 1 eruption starts
1 December 1995

Evacuation

Second major evacuation of 6000, which lasted for 1 month.

2. Moving, Crossing and Leaving

Back and Forth View >
March 1996

Eruption

First pyroclastic flows generated.

1. Watching the Volcano

Pyroclastic Flows

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000 +

East

West (Plymouth)

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3-4 April 1996

Evacuation

Governor declares state of public emergency. Final evacuation of Plymouth and southern areas. Residents never returned.

2. Moving, Crossing and Leaving

Refugee In Me Own Country

1995

1996

East

The North

West (Plymouth)

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May 1996

First PFs reach the sea down Tar River valley.

1996

Glendon Hospital relocated.

17 September 1996

Eruption

First magmatic (Vulcanian) explosion - medium explosion

5. Volcano island

The First Big Explosion: 17 September 1996

1996

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25 June 1997

pyroclastic flows

19 people die in Streatham from pyroclastic flows associated with collapse of northern part of lava dome. pyroclastic flows also reach Bramble Airport.

6. Before and after

The Old Airport

1997

1998

1999

2000 +

East

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August 1997

Eruption

Series of 10 Vulcanian explosions, pyroclastic flows reach and bury parts of Plymouth. - many medium explosions

5. Volcano island

1997 Explosions

1997

The Volcano & Belham

West (Plymouth)

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15 September 1997

George Martin’s Music for Montserrat held in Royal Albert Hall, London

Sep-Oct 1997

Eruption

Very strong extrusion cycles and a series of 75 Vulcanian explosions - many medium explosions

4. Falling ash and stones

Ash On A Daily Basis View >
26 December 1997

Eruption

Boxing Day collapse of Galway's Wall and debris avalanche. Big pyroclastic flow.

5. Volcano island

Galway’s Wall Crisis And Collapse (1996 – 1997)

1996

1997

The Volcano & Belham

West (Plymouth)

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2. Moving, Crossing and Leaving

South Gone

1996

1997

West (Plymouth)

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1998

Brades becomes de facto capital.

6. Before and after

Carr’s Bay & Little Bay

The North

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March 1998

End of Phase 1 of lava extrusion.

Phase 1 eruption ends
20-21 September 1998

Lahars partially bury Plymouth and Bramble airport during passage of Hurricane George.

1. Watching the Volcano

Lahars

1997

1998

1999

2000 +

The Volcano & Belham

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20 July 1999

Large dome collapse during period of no dome growth.

Phase 2 eruption begins
27 November 1999

Start of Phase 2 of dome growth

December 1999

Tropical Mansion Suites opens.

20 May 2000

Dome collapse

Large dome collapse associated with rainfall.

29 July 2001

Dome collapse

Large dome collapse associated with rainfall.

March 2003

Montserrat Volcano Observatory opens in Flemmings.

1. Watching the Volcano

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory View >
12-13 July 2003

Dome collapse

Largest ever historical dome collapse, removes entire dome.

4. Falling ash and stones

Big Collapse And Ash Clean Up (July 2003)

2000 +

The North

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1 August 2003

End of Phase 2 of dome growth.

Phase 2 Eruption ends
11 July 2005

John A Osborne airport opens.

2006

Montserrat Cultural Centre is built.

Phase 3 eruption begins
20 May 2006

Dome collapse

Large dome collapse removing entire dome.

5. Volcano island

May 2006 Dome Collapse And Lahars

2000 +

The Volcano & Belham

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8 January 2007

Pyroclastic flows

Dome collapse on NW flank sends pyroclastic flows 5km down Belham valley for first time.

Phase 3 Eruption Ends
Phase 4 Eruption Begins
8 August 2008

Start of Phase 4 of extrusion

27 July 2008

Eruption

Large Vulcanian explosion - big explosion

3 January 2009

Eruption

Large Vulcanian explosion with PFs that inundate Plymouth, End of Phase 4 of extrusion - big explosion

Phase 4 Eruption Ends
Phase 5 Eruption Begins
4 October 2009

Start of Phase 5 with ash venting small explosion

8 January 2010

Eruption

Very large Vulcanian explosion with PFs in many ghauts, including longest flows in Belham Valley - big explosion

11 February 2010

Eruption

Large dome collapse on the northern side of dome, End of Phase 5. Bramble airport and Trant’s completely buried under up to 30 m of debris. 1 square kilometre of new land creased along Trant’s coastline

5. Volcano island

Volcano When You Gonna Stop

2000 +

East

The Volcano & Belham

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Phase 5 Eruption ends
November 2010

Little Bay War Memorial constructed

March 2012

Eruption

Vigorous ash venting and formation of two new craters on northern and NW flank of volcano small explosion

2014

Multi-purpose sports centre is built in Little Bay

5. Volcano island

The Island Today: Living With Our Volcano

2000 +

The Island Today

The Volcano & Belham

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5. Volcano island

Hurricane Hugo 1989

18th & 19th Century

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5. Volcano island

The 1899 Hurricane

18th & 19th Century

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5. Volcano island

The 1843 Earthquake View >

8. Timelines

Montserrat Historical Timeline

18th & 19th Century

1995

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5. Volcano island

The Island Today: Living With Our Volcano

2000 +

The Island Today

The Volcano & Belham

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