The first seismo-volcanological observatory on Montserrat

Pyle, David, Mahony, Martin, Barclay, Jenni, Davies, Bridie V., Pascal, Karen, Williams, Thiffanie, Joseph, Erouscilla P. and Scarlett, Jazmin P. (2026) The first seismo-volcanological observatory on Montserrat. Volcanica, 9 (1). pp. 37-70. ISSN 2610-3540

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Abstract

The first seismo-volcanological observatory in the anglophone Caribbean was established on Montserrat in 1936, in response to a volcano-seismic crisis that began with repeated felt events in 1933. Staff at Montserrat's agricultural office began routinely recording earthquake shocks in 1934. In 1936, following a scientific expedition dispatched by the Royal Society, an observatory was established at the Grove Botanical Station, Plymouth. This was run by volcano-seismic observers who managed an instrumental network, and monitored gas and steam emissions and air quality. The observatory functioned until 1946. We reconstruct the decision-making and evolution of the instrument networks as the observatory was established, and highlight the personnel involved, including the first female seismo-volcanic observer on Montserrat, Greta Scotland. Observations from the 1930s crisis emphasise the persistent seismicity and gas emissions associated with this extended episode of unrest, and suggest that there were minor phreatic explosions at the height of the crisis. We draw parallels with long-term observations of the activity of the Soufrière Hills Volcano since the 1990s.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Data Availability: Datasets derived from archival materials which we use in thispaper are available on figshare: data from Montserrat seismo-volcanological observatory reports, 1935–1938; locations of1936–1938 earthquakes; and transcribed list of Montserrat’s Government House visitors, 1934-1937. https://figshare.com/projects/The_first_seismovolcanological_observatory_on_Montserrat/214351
Uncontrolled Keywords:	volcanic unrest,volcano monitoring,frank perret,eastern caribbean volcanic arc,historical volcanology
Faculty \ School:	University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Science, Society and Sustainability University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Related URLs:	https://www.jvolcanica.org/ojs/index.php...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2026 12:30
Last Modified:	01 Mar 2026 07:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102009
DOI:	10.30909/vol/wmvv2233

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