Qualibou
Encyclopedia
Qualibou, also known as the Soufrière
Volcanic Centre is a 3.5 X 5 km wide caldera on the island of Saint Lucia
that formed approximately 32-39,000 years ago. This eruption also formed the Choiseul Tuff which covers the south east portion of the island.
The Pitons are two large lava domes that formed 200-300,000 years ago, some time before the formation of the caldera and since then other domes have filled the caldera floor. More recently, there was a phreatic eruption
in 1766 that deposited ash over a wide area.
Sulphur Springs
is an active geothermal area located roughly in the centre of the caldera.
In 1990, 1999 and 2000 there were shallow depth volcanic earthquakes located 6 km ESE of the caldera.
Soufrière, Saint Lucia
Soufrière is a quarter on the Southwest coast of Saint Lucia in the West Indies. Soufrière was the former capital of Saint Lucia during times of French rule. It is now a small sleepy fishing port with an emerging tourism industry...
Volcanic Centre is a 3.5 X 5 km wide caldera on the island of Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km2 and has an...
that formed approximately 32-39,000 years ago. This eruption also formed the Choiseul Tuff which covers the south east portion of the island.
The Pitons are two large lava domes that formed 200-300,000 years ago, some time before the formation of the caldera and since then other domes have filled the caldera floor. More recently, there was a phreatic eruption
Phreatic eruption
A phreatic eruption, also called a phreatic explosion or ultravulcanian eruption, occurs when rising magma makes contact with ground or surface water. The extreme temperature of the magma causes near-instantaneous evaporation to steam, resulting in an explosion of steam, water, ash, rock, and...
in 1766 that deposited ash over a wide area.
Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs, Saint Lucia
Sulphur Springs is the "world's only drive in volcano"; it is located in Saint Lucia towards the southwestern side of the island, near Soufrière. According to scientists, it is supposed to erupt in around 100 years and the impact of it can wipe out 3/4 of St Lucia.The water boils at 212 F but the...
is an active geothermal area located roughly in the centre of the caldera.
In 1990, 1999 and 2000 there were shallow depth volcanic earthquakes located 6 km ESE of the caldera.