LEDC/LIC Eruption: Montserrat

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When and where was the eruption?
Chances Peak volcano in July 1995 (Caribbean island of Montserrat, off the northern coast of South America).
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It was a 'playground for the rich and famous', including...
Popstars such as Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones (staying in luxurious villas or hotels- today purchased in the north for a 1/3rd of original value).
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Describe the location of the British colony of Montserrat
It is situated within the northern part of the Lesser Antilles. This is an island arc formed where the Atlantic tectonic plate subducts beneath the Caribbean plate. Most of the islands are composite volcanoes formed under violent eruptions.
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Montserrat is only ?km long and ?km wide and is built almost entirely of ?
16km long and 10km wide. Of volcanic rock.
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Throughout the island's history what have been created and why?
Lava domes, as a result of the thick sticky (andesitic) lava building up at the top of the volcano. when the lava eventually becomes too heavy the domes collapse, resulting in andesitic lava and pyroclastic flows.
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Describe the eruption
On 18th July 1995, the youngest of 3 volcanoes, Chances Peak in the south, began erupting ash and dust. Discovered it was only dormant not extinct! (through monitoring gases, micro quakes and changes in volcano's shape).
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What were some immediate effects?
Included the death of 19 people killed in fires associated with the pyroclastic flows, burn and inhalation injuries and 2/3rds of all houses were either buried by ash or flattened by rocks.
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Continued immediate effects...
Similarly, farmland, vegetation and 3/4s of the infrastructure were destroyed. More than 1/2 the 11,000 population was evacuated to Antigua, the USA and UK.
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What were the immediate responses?
Establishment of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory; NGOs (e.g. Red Cross) set up temporary schools and provided medical support & food; Warning systems to alert inhabitants; Troops; £17m in UK govt, emergency aid.
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Name some long term responses?
A 3yr redevelopment programme; a top-heavy population pyramid created= young moved elsewhere seeing lack of economic future on the island; south of island remains an exclusion zone (including Plymouth); slowly vegetation re-growth; tourism potential.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

It was a 'playground for the rich and famous', including...

Back

Popstars such as Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones (staying in luxurious villas or hotels- today purchased in the north for a 1/3rd of original value).

Card 3

Front

Describe the location of the British colony of Montserrat

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Montserrat is only ?km long and ?km wide and is built almost entirely of ?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Throughout the island's history what have been created and why?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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