MONTSERRAT 1997 ERUPTION

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  • Created by: 244466666
  • Created on: 12-03-18 11:21

MONTSERRAT 1997 ERRUPTION

Causes

  • NORTH ATLANTIC plate subducts under CARIBBEAN (denser)
  • DESTRUCTIVE PLATE MARGIN- Montserrat on top of subduction zone
  • south centre island- soufreire hills- chances peak
  • first begain 18 july 1995- finshed 5yrs later- most intense erruptions happened during 1997
  • warning signs (mini erruptions ash/ earthq )

Effects

  • SOCIAL- 2/3 houses destroyed
  • 7000 people moved to other countries (over half of 11 000 population)
  • ECONOMIC- 3/4 infrastructure destroyed
  • Capital- Plymouth destroyed- has most gov. buildings/ hospital
  • Tourist industry collapsed- unemployment
  • top-heavy pop. pyramid created - young ppl left, leaving elderly
  • ENVIRONMENTAL
  • agricultural land close to volcanoe (fertile) so most destroyed or abandoned
  • 2/3 of island still uninhabitable
  • land (inc. capital ) covered in up to 3m ash

Overall summary

Montserrat is apart of volcanic arc in Caribbean. LEDC so couldn't afford equipment. RESPONSES included the Uk gov. donating money for compensation/ redevelopment. abandonment of capital. (long term) exclusion zone set up in volcanic region. Volcanic observatory set up to monitor. New roads/airport/ infras. built. Growth in tourism due to presence of volcano. 

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