Montserrat, Caribbean Ocean

Montserrat is a small, unspoiled volcanic island in the heart of the West Indies. In July 1995 the Soufriere Hills volcano became ?active?, spewing ash, steam and gases. Since then sporadic periods of activity have lead to ash falling over many marine areas and pyroclastic flow causing plumes of sedimentation into the sea.

Taken from a hillside in Old Towne this photo highlights the ash as it rises thousands of feet into the air from Tar Valley on its way to the sea. Photo taken by Gary Sego, [email protected].

Taken from Old Towne looking south east toward Fox's Bay. The main ash fall was over the evacuated town of Plymouth. Photo taken by Gary Sego, [email protected]

There are many documented cases of heavy sedimentation on reefs are Montserrat. The pressure of this sedimentation has lead to increased occurrence of disease, bleaching and physical deterioration of the reefs. The sedimentation ranges from a thin film to ash several centimetres deep.

Prior to the volcano eruption much of the Montserrat population depended on corals and related fisheries for food and for the appeal they held to tourists. The volcano seriously damaged reefs, and reduced fish density. Fishing areas are now restricted because of reef loss so the population of Montserrat has concentrated around these areas, putting them under pressure. Catches around all the reefs have decreased and because of the time-lag (due to fish recruitment and life-cycles) the full impacts of the coatings of ash may not yet have been observed.