A pyroclastic flow produced by the collapse of a growing lava dome in the summit crater, sweeps down the SW flank of Mount Pelee on 1 January 1903. Small pyroclastic flows continued for 16 months following the catastrophic eruption of 8 May 1902, that destroyed St. Pierre. A second large pyroclastic flow, comparable in size to that of 8 May, devastated the SE flank on 30 August, killing an additional 1500 people. The frequency of pyroclastic flows diminished after September 1903, but they continued at longer intervals until October 1905.

Photo by Hayot, 1903 (from the collection of Maurice and Katia Krafft).

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Pelée