Mt. Pelee Jessie Stivers

Country Martinique ◦Part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean ◦French territory

City St. Pierre ◦On Martinique’s west coast ◦First permanent colony on the island

Mt. Pelee erupted May 8 th, 1902

In 1902… First Rose Bowl is held First movie theater is built in U.S

In January 1902, Mt. Pelee shows signs of eruption Many citizens are not concerned

April 23, the volcano becomes more active Scientist reassures safety of the town

Rumors Many believe mayor didn’t want people to leave Up coming election was important

Mt. Pelee erupted May 8, 1902 at 7:50 am

St. Pierre’s population was about 30,000 Eruption killed all but 1

Survivor Louis-Auguste Cyparis His sturdy underground prison cell saved him

Volcano ~Landform where magma erupts through earth’s crust

A volcano is formed by two plates pushing together

As the magma’s pressure builds, it forces its way through” fissures” (small cracks in earth’s crust)

There are two types of volcanic eruptions –quiet and explosive

Quiet Lava flows down the mountain Not many ashes or fumes

Explosive Loud, many ashes and fumes Mt. Pelee was an explosive eruption