A volcano is a mountain or hill with an opening or vent from which a liquid called lava or other solid materials, such as rocks and ashes, are ejected from the inside of the earth.

Volcanoes sleep for many years, but when one of them awakens, there are big explosions of gases, rocks, and lava into the atmosphere. This type of explosion is called a volcanic eruption.

Volcanoes are found all over the Caribbean region. Although your area may have no active volcanoes, you can still be affected by the volcanic ash and dust from volcanoes in other parts of the region. Ash and dust move with the wind and can be blown onto your country from many miles away.

• If you happen to be on an island with an active volcano, do not visit the volcano when it is in a state of activity. You could be killed by a sudden explosion!


• If volcanic ash is falling from the sky, stay inside the house and close all doors and windows.


• Look out for flying rocks.


• The most recent volcanic eruption in the Caribbean has been on the island of Montserrat, where a volcano located in the Soufriere Hills awoke on July 18, 1995. People had to leave their homes and go to live on other islands where it was safe.

Did you know?

There are more than 600 volcanoes in the world. About 80 of them are under the sea. The volcano Krakatoa in the East Indies exploded in 1883. The sound was heard 5000km away in Australia.