Soufrière Hills

Soufrière Hills is an active volcanic complex on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, notable for its prolonged eruptive period that began in 1995. The volcano’s activity caused major pyroclastic flows, ash emissions and widespread disruption to the island’s population and infrastructure.

Eruptions in the mid-1990s buried the capital, Plymouth, under hot ash and debris and forced the evacuation and long-term abandonment of much of the southern half of Montserrat. The volcano has produced intermittent eruptions and continues to be closely monitored by scientific observatories.

The activity transformed the island’s settlement patterns and economy and created exclusion zones for public safety; access to affected areas is restricted and controlled by authorities.

• 1995 eruption and impacts: Major eruptive activity began in 1995, producing pyroclastic flows and ashfall that destroyed the island’s former capital and led to long-term evacuations.
• Hazard management: A volcanic exclusion zone remains in effect for much of the southern part of Montserrat, and the volcano is monitored continuously by geologic authorities.

• Before visiting check the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) or local government bulletins for current activity levels and any exclusion zones-access and viewing points can change at short notice.
• Only view the volcano from authorized vantage points or with licensed local guides who coordinate with the MVO; entering the red/closed zones is illegal and dangerous even when the volcano is quiet.
• Choose clear, calm mornings for sightseeing-visibility is often best then, and guided viewing platforms provide safer photo opportunities than improvised roadside stops.