Montserrat had just recovered from the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, when the Soufriere Hill Volcano erupted in 1995.
During this ordeal the population shrank from 11 000 to about 4 000. Nineteen people had died from the volcano and about seven thousand had left the island because their homes had been either devoured by the volcano or they are situated in the generous exclusion zone that the government has implemented. About 20 % of the surface of the island has been directly affected by the lava flows, and about two thirds of Montserrat's area is declared exclusion zone, to which access is strictly prohibited. The last and biggest dome collapse of the volcano happened in July 2003. Huge amounts of volcanic ash had been deposited all over the island. However, in a relatively short time the island recovered.
The activity of the volcano has been at a very low level since then and many of the previous restrictions have been lifted. Large parts of the former exclusion zone are being re-occupied. The mountains are more lush than ever.
The northern part of the island remained untouched by the fury of the volcano.
For Photos and more information on the incredible Soufriere Hill Volcano, please visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.
