Mt. Pelée

The volcano that I have chosen is Mont Pelée which is located on the island of Martinique in the West Indies. Mont Pelée means Bald Mountain. “Since the occupation of the island of Martinique by European settlers, in 1635, there are 4 records of eruptions from Mt. Pelée volcano. 2 phreatic eruptions in 1792 and 1851, then 2 magmatic eruptions in 1902 and 1929” (Past Eruptions, n.d.). Mont Pelée’s most notable eruption occurred in 1902 on May 8^th. This historic eruption has been noted that because of the Pyroclastic flows of the lava that destroyed the whole town of St. Pierre. The recorded number of causalities because of this eruption in 1902 is 29,025 people who died within minutes from inhalation of hot ash and gases. “Only two men survived; one because he was in a poorly ventilated, dungeon-like jail cell and the other who somehow made his way safely through the burning city” (Tilling, 1985). No one at the time could have predicted the horror that descended on this tropical paradise with the re-awakening of Mt. Pelée in the spring of 1902. “Governor Louis Mouttet received a report from a committee of civic leaders who climbed the volcano to assess the danger. The only scientist in the group was a local high school teacher. The report stated that "there is nothing in the activity of Mt. Pelée that warrants a departure from St. Pierre." It concluded that "the safety of St. Pierre is completely assured." The report eased the public's fears, and gave hope to city officials who were particularly anxious that voters remain in the city to cast their ballots for an election that was to be held on May 11 (Camp, 2006).” The latest eruption that took place on Mont Pelée occurred in 1929 which included Pyroclastic flows and lava dome growth. The start of the volcano eruption started in 1929 and ended in 1932 with a total evacuation of the 3,000 inhabitants. So far in 2006, the killer volcano with its long history of extreme violence quietly rests above Saint Pierre and the beautiful northern Martinique countryside.

This historic eruption has been noted that because of the Pyroclastic flows of the lava that destroyed the whole town of St. Pierre.