Mount Pelee volcano description and photos - Martinique (Topic)

Mount Pelee volcano description and photos - Martinique. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Mount Pelee.

Photo and description

The dormant volcano Mont Pele, also called Montagne Pele, rises 8 km from the town of Saint-Pierre on the northern coast of Martinique. It reaches a height of 1397 meters above sea level, which makes it the highest point on the island. Its name Montagne Pele, which in French means "Bald Mountain", he received around 1635. This is the name of this volcano by the first European settlers who arrived in Martinique after its recent eruption. A depressing picture appeared to their eyes: the slopes of the volcano were covered with ash, there was no vegetation on them, so the mountain seemed deserted and lifeless.

The most famous eruption of the Mont Pele volcano took place on May 8, 1902. The volcano has been restless since the 50s of the 17th century, but did not cause much destruction, so the inhabitants of the nearest towns resigned themselves to the formidable neighbor and even ceased to fear him. In early May 1902, a pyroclastic avalanche, consisting of gas heated to 800 degrees, stones and ash, covered the city of Saint-Pierre, the nearest to the volcano, in a matter of minutes. Approximately 30 thousand people died in the first three minutes of the eruption. Only some members of the English ship "Roddam" and two local people managed to escape from the rampant elements: a convict who was sitting in an underground dungeon, and a resident of the outskirts who managed to hide, but still received serious burns.

The eruptions of Montagne- Peles are rare but devastating. This type of eruption was named Pelei - in honor of this particular volcano.

Soon Saint-Pierre literally rose from the ashes. Locals collected the objects melted during the eruption and placed them in the Volcanic Museum. now anyone can see them.

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Topic: Mount Pelee volcano description and photos - Martinique.