Montserrat Volcano Tour

Towering 3,000 feet (give or take, depending on current volcanic activity) above sea level, Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano slumbered uneasily for at least a century before erupting violently in 1995, and has continued to be active until the present day. The 'volcanic crisis' led to the closure of the southern two-thirds of the island and the abandonment of the capital city of Plymouth, once home to 12,000 people. Pyroclastic flows -- superheated waves of gas and rock -- subsequently covered much of the city and the island's main airport, resulting in 19 deaths. Mud flows, known as lahars, have devastated other areas, including the scenic Belham Valley area, which has been periodically evacuated, as recently as 2007. Locals say the volcano makes its own weather, and the summit often is shrouded in clouds or steam, which can usually be seen billowing from vents on the volcano's flanks, as in the above picture.