The Impact of Mount Pelee 1902 Eruption

Mount Pelee 1902 Eruption

Long-Term Impact

Lingering Consequences and Lessons

Memorials and museums in Martinique serve as a reminder of the tragedy and commemorate the losses.

Today, scientists can more easily detect volcanoes through significant research on the Earth such as satallite monitoring, seismology, gas emmision monitoring, etc.

Volcano Type

Type of Eruption and Volcano

Stratovolcano: cone shaped and formed by many layers of hardened lava–formed by viscous sticky magma that does not flow easily.

Type of magma: basalt and basalt with andesite composition.

Volcanic Activity and Evidences

The eruption leads us to recognize the large potential of catastrophic volcanic activity.

It is important to understand warning signs and enviornmental impact of volcanoes. Being prepared can save people lives and economic destruction.

Explosive eruption: occurs when magma erupts at the surface and is powered by expanding volcanic gasses and steam of magma interacting with water.

The most violent type of eruption.

The lava is rich in silica and there is a pyroclastic flow which has hot incandescent solid particles. There is a lot of ash and debris in the air.

4 eruptions over the past 250 years

It is currently active but it doesn't possess current danger as only a few volcanic techtonic earthquakes occur on Martinique every year.

Loss of Life

Significance of the Eruption

Impact on Humanity and Society

More than 29,000 people died due to the eruption and marked as the deathliest eruption of the 20th century

Because of this there was also a lot of displacement of people

Pelee has been quiet for half a century but when it erupted May 8, 1902 it produced one of the deadliest eruptions in history and obliterated St. Pierre in an instant.

This eruption also helped geologists and their understanding of volcanoes and their potential danger.

Geologic and Geographic Setting

Economic Impact

Mount Pelee caused major impacts on humanity and society.

There was complete destruction of St. Pierre and mainly its port which impacted transport and the lives of many.

Location: on the north end of Martinique.

Martinique is part of the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc. The arc is formed by the subduction of the North American Plate under the Caribbean Plate.

Introduction to Mount Pelee 1902 Eruption

Geological Information

St. Pierre was known as the “Paris of the Caribbean” and it was on a French island of Martinique.

Mount Pelee was located 7km away from St. Pierre and was 1400 meters above the city.

Made of mostly pyroclastic rocks.

As the techtonic plates slid, melting occured which helped forge islands, mountains, and volcanoes.