Montserrat W.I.

In 1997 the long dormant Soufrière Hills volcano erupted on Montserrat, decimating the capital city of Plymouth with debris from pyroclastic flows and several meters of volcanic ash. The airport, which was in the path of the main pyroclastic flow, was destroyed. City Hall, an imposing three story building, was buried almost completely with all but the clock tower and roof covered in rubble and ash. Since the 1997 eruption, the volcano has had continuous activity, further demolishing what is left of Plymouth. The following photographs were taken over several years and show the destruction wrought over the course of time by the volcano.