The Volcano In The News (1995-2000)

The eruption of Soufrière Hills has been extensively covered in local and regional newspapers such as the Montserrat Reporter, the Caribbean Week and the Antigua Sun. Journalists like Cathy Buffonge published countless articles on the state of the volcano and the island throughout the volcanic crisis. Here is a timeline of selected news articles by Cathy Buffonge from 1995-2000, which were previously also published in the four-volume anthology “Volcano!”. For the full articles simply click on the photos.

If you are a journalist and would like to contribute to this timeline, please contact us!

2 February 1994

"Celebrating St. Patrick"

18 July 1995: Start of Eruption
18 July 1995

"Volcano alert"

August 1995

"Volcano update"

21 August 1995

Evacuation

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

30 September 1995

"Getting back to normal in Montserrat"

14 October 1995

"Schools make contingency plans" | "Hospital relocates"

October 1995

"Scientists explain volcano monitoring"

13 November 1995

"Ash, ash everywhere"

15 November 1995: Phase 1 Eruption Starts
1 December 1995

Evacuation

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

10 December 1995

"Preparing for Christmas in the safe zone"

January 1996

"Montserrat Adjusts to the Volcano"

16 February 1996

"Visitors Return to Montserrat - Business as usual"

March 1996

Eruption

First major pyroclastic flows generated

3-4 April 1996

Evacuation

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

July 1996

"Sea boils after eruption"

5 July 1996

"Change in volcanic activity"

17 September 1996

Eruption

First magmatic (Vulcanian) explosion - medium explosion

8 November 1996

"Election in Montserrat"

29 November 1996

"Montserrat's South in danger"

1997

"Red Cross to the Rescue"

Feburary 1997

"In the shadow of the Soufrière Hills Volcano"

17 February 1997

"Montserrat's volcanic alert level lowered"

24 May 1997

"Britain's Montserrat groups help evacuees"

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.

August 1997

Eruption

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

29 August 1997

"Popular protest chase Osborne" | "Evacuation package made public"

September - October 1997

Eruption

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

5 September 1997

"Changing face of the North"

12 September 1997

"Vue Point Hotel closes"

5 December 1997

"Insurers come to terms to benefit policy holders"

26 December 1997

Eruption

Boxing Day collapse of Galway's Wall and debris avalanche. Big pyroclastic flow. "Montserrat's South destroyed"

17 January 1998

"Report dismisses fears volcano will consume island"

12 February 1998

"St. Vincent's PM visits"

28 February 1998
March 1998: Phase 1 Eruption ends
17 April 1998

"Mortgage blues plague Montserrat"

May 1998

"New homes go up on volcanic Montserrat"

22 May 1998

"Businesses rebuild in 'safe north'"

7 August 1998

"'Operation Exodus' drill conducted"

cbuffonge_19980807_AntiguaSun_Operation-Exodus-drill-conducted.pdf-1-aspect-ratio-16-9
20-21 September 1998

Hurricane

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

27 October 1998

"Weather finishes off Plymouth"

cbuffonge_19981027_AntiguaSun_Weather-finishes-off-Plymouth.pdf-1-aspect-ratio-16-9
20 July 1999

Dome Collapse

Large dome collapse during period of no dome growth.

1999

"Montserrat: Rising from a volcano's ashes"

27 November 1999: PHASE 2 ERUPTION BEGINS
December 1999

Tropical Mansion Suites open

20 May 2000

Dome Collapse

Large dome collapse associated with rainfall.

July 2000

"Around Montserrat: An eye-opening cruise about HMS Manchester"

October 2000

"Health survey studies heavy exposure to ash"

8. Timelines

An Eruption Of Science: Research Papers 1996-2020

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000 +

View >

8. Timelines

Montserrat Historical Timeline

18th & 19th Century

1995

View >

8. Timelines

Fire From The Ashes: Montserrat’s Literary Timeline

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000 +

View >

7. Voices from overseas

The UK Administrative Perspective

18th & 19th Century

1997

View >

5. Volcano island

The Island Today: Living With Our Volcano

2000 +

The Island Today

The Volcano & Belham

View >

5. Volcano island

Volcano When You Gonna Stop

2000 +

East

The Volcano & Belham

View >

5. Volcano island

Start Of The Eruption: 18 July 1995

1995

The Volcano & Belham

West (Plymouth)

View >