Soufriere Hills

Cauliflower-like clouds of ash roil above the surface of a pyroclastic flow sweeping down the eastern flank of the summit lava dome on January 16, 1997. This was the largest single pyroclastic flow of the eruption to date. The pyroclastic flow descended the Tar River valley to the sea, covering the new delta with new material that included blocks 1-2 m in diameter (up to 5-m diameter at the head of the fan).

Type/Process: Pyroclastic Flow
Volcanic Status: Historical
Image Number: 062-086
Photographer: Richard Heard, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory)
Summit Elevation: 915 meters
Latitude/Longitude: 16.72 N / 62.18 W
Timeframe: Last known eruption 1964 or later
Region: West Indies