The Soufrière Hills volcano is an active stratovolcano located on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory in the Lesser Antilles. The volcano gained international attention in the 1990s when it became active after over 400 years of dormancy, resulting in a series of devastating eruptions that dramatically reshaped the island's landscape and forced the evacuation and displacement of the majority of the island's population.

The most significant eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano occurred in 1995, when a large eruption produced pyroclastic flows that destroyed the capital city of Plymouth and several other villages on the southern part of the island. The eruption continued for several years, with ongoing volcanic activity producing ash plumes, lava flows, and lahars that impacted large areas of the island and led to further destruction and devastation.

As a result of the volcanic activity and the destruction caused by the eruptions, the southern part of Montserrat, including the former capital city of Plymouth, became an exclusion zone that is off-limits to residents and visitors due to the ongoing volcanic hazards and the unstable nature of the volcanic deposits and infrastructure in the area.

Despite the volcanic activity and the challenges posed by the ongoing eruptions, Montserrat has made significant progress in rebuilding and revitalizing the northern part of the island, where the majority of the population now resides. The island has developed a thriving tourism industry focused on eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural tourism, with visitors drawn to the island's stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and unique cultural heritage.

One of the highlights of visiting Montserrat is exploring the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), a world-renowned scientific research institution that monitors the volcanic activity of the Soufrière Hills volcano and provides valuable information and updates on the volcano's behavior and potential hazards. The MVO offers guided tours and educational programs that provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the geology, volcanology, and history of the Soufrière Hills volcano and the impact of the eruptions on the island and its people.

Things to do in Montserrat Places

Soufriere Hills