Dr Graham Ryan will present an overview of the ongoing impacts of the Soufrière Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat, and the potential for magma-derived resources to support energy independence and sustainable access to critical metals.

The island of Montserrat is a British overseas territory and small island developing state in the Eastern Caribbean. Over the past three decades, life on the island has been shaped by the impacts of the volcano.  The eruption, which began in 1995, caused fatalities, displaced much of the population, and severely damaged the economy. Although eruptive activity last occurred sixteen years ago, ongoing volcanic unrest continues to create uncertainty and poses challenges for the island’s development.

At the same time, Montserrat’s geology presents significant opportunities. The volcanic system offers the potential for an indigenous geothermal energy supply capable of powering the entire island. In addition, collaboration with the Oxford Martin School has opened the possibility of developing a new green industry focused on extracting critical metals from magma-derived geofluids. These prospects highlight how the island’s volcanic environment can also support future economic development.

Dr Graham Ryan has been the Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory since 2019. The Observatory has a high international profile and has a pivotal role in Montserrat, where the volcano has had a profound effect on nearly all areas of life since 1995. As Director, he coordinates the running of the Observatory and ensures that both the Government and population are kept informed about the hazards posed by the volcano. He also helped coordinate assistance from the Observatory to St Vincent during the 2020/2021 eruption of the volcano. This assistance was key in the successful management of the crisis for which the UWI-SRC was recognised with the IAVCEI Volcanic Surveillance and Crisis Management Award.


Using his research expertise, he has had a tangible impact on Montserrat through the development of volcano monitoring methods and improving our understanding of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano. Graham has also had the opportunity to assist in the development of geothermal energy on Montserrat. He has done extensive work in the development of subsurface models, which have been used to help successfully target productive geothermal wells on the island.

'Montserrat: volcanic risk and economic opportunity on a small Caribbean island' with Dr Graham Ryan