MONTSERRAT VOLCANO CRISIS: THE CAUSE
MONTSERRAT
Montserrat: a small island in the Caribbean, formed millions of years ago by growing volcanoes. The volcano on Montserrat is now an active volcano and erupts frequently, producing PYROCLASTIC FLOW which rises into the air and then settles onto the vegetation, houses, people and vehicles.
THE CAUSE
For millions of years both the Northern and Southern American plates have pushed under the Caribbean plate. Rock melted and pushed its way through the ocean floor forming underwater volcanoes. The volcanoes grew, forming Montserrat and the other Caribbean islands. The volcano on Montserrat erupted because of the constant plate movement still happening today.
MONTSERRAT VOLCANO CRISIS: THE VOLCANO’S PRODUCTS
WHAT DOES THE VOLCANO CREATE?
Every time the volcano erupts, a highly dangerous type of flow is released, called pyroclastic flow. This is a thick and toxic kind of ash and smoke mixture which settles on the land and suffocates all living things.
It lands on the roofs of houses and because of the weight, the houses collapse or they lose their roof-tops.
WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TYPE OF FLOW?
Pyroclastic flow is probably the most dangerous because of the effect it has over the land and the long-lasting damage that is caused.
WHAT OTHER FLOW TYPES ARE THERE?
There are a number of other products produced by volcanoes; mud flows, hot fiery lava flows, carbon dioxide and large rocks and minerals are fired from volcanoes. Sometimes these products may affect other countries, sometimes even the whole of the globe. Carbon dioxide spreads widely across the globe.
CHAIN REACTIONS
Sometimes one type of product may lead to another, for example a lot of pyroclastic flow settled on the land, may turn into a thick mudflow if there a lot of rain or water around.
This is an image of the volcano on Montserrat erupting.
MONTSERRAT VOLCANO CRISIS: THE EFFECT ON THE ISLAND
SAFE AREAS
The whole of the southern area has been evacuated and the crops of the farmers have been left to die. The only kind of life apart from the volcano is in the north.
This is a map of Montserrat showing the hazard zones and which parts of the island are more dangerous than others.1= Most Dangerous7=Least dangerous
There are more ‘danger zones’ than ‘safe zones’ on the island now, so it’s hard for the population to survive in that small area. Many people have left for other islands, but others refuse.
WHAT'S LEFT?
The countryside has been reduced to nothing more than wasteland, the forests a blank gap. Once the volcano has become extinct the land where there was once pyroclastic flow, will make great land for farming as it will be very fertile, but this could be a long time off because we cannot predict when the volcano will stop erupting.
The capital city Plymouth has been completely destroyed and will need to be built from scratch. Perhaps the people will build it in a northern area.
The animals that lived there, have fled or been killed because of the volcano. There is barely any life left in the southern part of the island.
A Picture of what used to be a very successful farm: There is only dust and dead plants left now, the land is worthless.
MONTSERRAT VOLCANO CRISIS: THE EFFECT ON THE PEOPLE
EVACUATION
Many of the people who have survived the volcano have been evacuated to the north of the island. There aren’t many places where people can stay, most people have to stay in refugee centres, these are temporary homes. Many churches and primary schools are being used as refugee shelters.
REFUGEE SHELTERS
The refugee shelters are crowded, the beds nothing more than canvas stretched over a wire frame. Everyone uses the same toilet and shower and they all sleep in the same room. People don’t like these conditions but their only other option is to leave the island, which they either don’t want to do or can’t afford to.
HOMES
Other people do get their own home, but the conditions are still crowded and uncomfortable. For instance, a family with two parents and eight children may live in a three roomed house.
FOOD AND DRINK
The farmers in the north struggle to supply enough food for all the residents on the island, and the British government barely sends enough either, so the people usually eat cucumbers as this is all they can grow.
Water is scarce but is less of a problem than food.
A crowded scene in a refugee shelter (old school building) in Northern Montserrat.