April 25, 1897 Earthquake: Montserrat

Reference #1596:

On Montserrat great destruction, heavy on neighboring islands damage; many dead people. The climax of an earthquake period started in 1896. With epicenter on Montserrat, which lasted until 1899. Increased solstylate activity, but no outbreak. (p. 279)

Possibly as a companion of a attempted eruption, the earthquake swarm on Montserrat from 1896 to 1899, high point in 1897. Because at the same time took The Soufrièren, situated on the slopes of Chances Mountain, and the sulfur exhalations are very extensive in extent and strength, without any escape. (p. 966)

Reference #1055:

1897, December 8 and January. West Indies, Montserrat. Intensity I which corresponds to an earthquake of intensity

sufficient to crack walls, break chimneys, to shatter old

buildings or to produce cracks in the ground.

Reference #386

1896, April 23-27. Montserrat. Whole island VII. A series of earthquakes, the worst at 7:0 pm on the 25th. Several buildings were damaged; business places were closed and special services wee held in the churches. (Barbados Advocate 1897, April 30)

Comments: This series of earthquakes began in November 1896 and continued until 1901. The most severe earthquakes of the series occurred at 7:00 PM on April 25 1897 (Barbados Advocate 1897 April 30) and 11:15 AM on February 15 1898. Similar earthquake sequences subsequently occurred

in 1933-38 and 1966-67. These were shown to be closely associated with volcanic activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano. (Perret 1939, Shepherd et al 1971).

Reference #1492:

A report in the Journal of Geology on the frequent occurrence of earthquakes at Montserrat, said, "After the large tsunami attacked the island on Nov. 29, 1897, a number of earthquakes were felt. Particularly severe were those on Feb. 15, 18, and 20, 1898. As the island is

volcanic, there might be a possibility that serious eruption of volcanoes could occur in the near future." Shepherd cited an account about Feb. 15 that said, "A terrific earthquake between 11 a.m. and noon occurred here today, the severest in the island for many years, and which dwarfs into insignificance the shocks we have been having since the flood (Nov. 29, 1896 [sic])." Despite uncertainty as to which year, a large tsunami "attacked" Montserrat. Murphy, 1964; Shepherd & Lynch, 1992; Journal of Geology, 1898. V4.