World Map › Major Eruptions › Mount Pelée 1902
Historic Eruption
5 May 1902 Eruption of Mount Pelée
5 May 1902 · Stratovolcano · Martinique
On 5 May 1902, Mount Pelée in Martinique erupted. The volcano rises to 1,372 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 4 out of 8, that of a cataclysmic eruption ejecting more than 0.1 km³ of material. It killed at least 23 people. Most deaths were caused by the tsunami and lahars (volcanic mudflows). The eruption triggered a tsunami with waves up to 5 m.
- Date
- 5 May 1902
- Volcano
- Mount Pelée
- Volcano Type
- Stratovolcano
- Elevation
- 1,372 m
- Country
- Martinique
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 4 out of 8
- Deaths
- 23
- Main Causes of Death
- Tsunami, Lahars
- Triggered Tsunami
- 1902 Tsunami · 5 m
Other Significant Eruptions of Mount Pelée
- 1902August 1902 Eruption · VEI 4 · Pyroclastic Flows1,500 deaths
- 1902July 1902 Eruption · VEI 4 · Pyroclastic Flows, Tsunami
- 1902June 1902 Eruption · VEI 4 · Tsunami, Pyroclastic Flows
- 190220 May 1902 Eruption · VEI 4
- 19028 May 1902 Eruption · VEI 4 · Pyroclastic Flows28,000 deaths
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program