Soufriere Volcano (La Grande Soufriere) description and photos - Guadeloupe (Topic)

Soufriere Volcano (La Grande Soufriere) description and photo - Guadeloupe. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is La Grande Soufriere.

Photo and description

Soufriere is an active conical layered volcano located in the French dominion, on the Basse-Terre island, Guadeloupe. This highest mountain peak in the Lesser Antilles group reaches 1,467 meters. At the foot of the Soufriere lies the city of Bas-Ter, from which tours to the summit of the volcano along the slopes covered with dense tropical vegetation go.

The last time a major seismic activity of the Soufriere volcano was recorded was in 1976. In order to avoid casualties, all the inhabitants of the island were evacuated en masse. A fierce discussion between researchers Garun Taziev and Claude Allegre about whether to take out the population was widely reported in the press. Allegre argued that residents should be evacuated just in case, while Taziev believed that Soufriere is not dangerous. The island's prefect decided in favor of the evacuation out of caution. The volcanic eruption occurred, but not complete and did not result in significant damage.

While the island was empty after the evacuation, German film director Werner Herzog went to the abandoned town of Bas-Ter, where he found a peasant who refused to leave his home on the slope of a volcano. This journey was filmed and formed the basis of the film "La Soufriere".

We also recommend reading Castle Steen (Het Steen) description and photos - Belgium: Antwerp

Topic: Soufriere Volcano (La Grande Soufriere) description and photos - Guadeloupe.