Montserrat, a small island in the Caribbean, was massively impacted by a volcanic eruption that started in 1995. This volcano resulted from the South American Plate and North American Plate subducting beneath the Caribbean Plate, melting rocks and forming magma that rose to the surface, creating volcanic islands.

The Soufrière Hills volcano, which had been dormant for nearly 400 years, erupted in 1995. Initially, the volcano released clouds of ash and steam, followed by a full eruption in 1996 which resulted in mudflows and lava flows. A part of the volcanic dome collapsed, and a new dome was formed with boiling rocks and ash being thrown out.

The southern part of the island, including Plymouth - the largest settlement with a population of 4,000 - was evacuated due to the eruption. Plymouth was a hub for government offices, shops, and services, making the impact of the eruption severe. Living conditions became unhygienic, with up to 50 people sharing a single toilet, and sewage tanks not being emptied for weeks. This led to an increased risk of water contamination and the spread of diseases such as cholera.

By the time of the evacuation, Montserrat’s population had dropped from 11,000 to 4,500. Those who remained lived in tents, while others fled to nearby Antigua. All public services had to be moved to the northern part of the island.

The volcano remained active beyond 2005, still releasing sulphur and ash. A significant event occurred in May 2006 when the Soufrière dome collapsed, causing a tsunami that affected coastal areas of Guadeloupe, English Harbour and Jolly Harbour in Antigua.

Real-World Example: Imagine having to leave your city because of a massive natural disaster, like the residents of Plymouth. Then imagine starting over in a new place, living in tents or makeshift shelters. This was the reality for the Montserratians.