Volcano on St. Lucia. September 13, 2001.
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned in a post that Betsy and I had taken a catamaran to Soufriere, St. Lucia, and had seen a drive-in volcano. Several people commented on that, so I thought I would share some more information about the volcano. The picture above is one I took of the volcano when we were there.
The St. Lucia volcano, also called the St. Lucia sulphur springs, last erupted in the late 1700s. That eruption was only a steam eruption and did not involve magma and ash. Although there are signs of activity, such as boiling mud, and water and steam emerging from the crater, the volcano is dormant.
The caldera of the volcano is believed to be connected to the ocean because there tends to be an increase in activity during a full moon, which causes high tides.
Walking in the crater is now prohibited after a guide fell into a pool of boiling water when he was jumping up and down on the surface crust. Fortunately the pool was only waist deep, so he was rescued, although he did suffer severe burns. Visitors are now confined to a boardwalk behind a guardrail. You can still smell the sulphur from the boardwalk, however.
St. Lucia’s volcano is just one more attraction on an island that is full of them. I would certainly like to go back there. If Betsy needs an additional reason to go back, I’ve even found a waterfall we could visit!
Senior Moments 
February 9, 2009 at 3:45 am |
Yikes! That guide was one lucky guy that it was only waist deep. We’ve never been to an active volcano. All the old movies from my childhood kind of put a fear of them in me. The area around volcanos always looks so lush. Cool, er I mean, hot picture!! Oh yes, I’m supposed to tell you that Betsy sent me. I hope she is feeling better.
February 9, 2009 at 5:47 am |
Drive in volcano…what a great title. It piqued my interest. I’m not sure I’d want to get too close though..
Interesting too that the volcano is more active when there’s a full moon.
February 9, 2009 at 6:31 am |
I like to look at volcanos….from a distance! Can’t believe that guide fell in – thank goodness he was okay! Nice photo!
February 9, 2009 at 8:10 am |
Thanks for the added information. Good thing they put up a guard rail. Imagine a guide falling in and suffering severe burns!
February 9, 2009 at 9:36 am |
I think a boardwalk behind a guard rail sounds just right! That poor man who fell in! This is very interesting!
February 9, 2009 at 9:39 am |
Wonderful picture and I love hearing the story about it….this is like the geography classes I never paid attention to in H.S. 🙂
But now I actually CARE!!!
February 9, 2009 at 10:00 am |
That’s really cool. Before I read your post and clicked on the picture, I thought it was the rapids in a river!
February 9, 2009 at 10:08 am |
Wow, can’t believe the guy fell in…yikes! What a story. Good idea for a guard rail!!
February 9, 2009 at 10:15 am |
Ooooh, poor guide. I can only imagine how painful that must of been. We got to go to St. Lucia on our very first cruise. It is indeed a very beautiful island.
February 9, 2009 at 12:25 pm |
Very interesting tidbit of information. Oh I can’t bear the thought of someone falling in all that heat 😦
February 9, 2009 at 12:32 pm |
I don’t think I would want to live close to one of these,
even if it has been 300 years siince it last burped.
February 9, 2009 at 12:32 pm |
Thats awful about the tour guide. Looks like a beatiful place to visit.
February 9, 2009 at 1:09 pm |
Well, I think you guys may be going back then, because she LOVES waterfalls!!! hehehe
I remember visiting Yellowstone & smelling that sulfur – awful smelling stuff – although, I would go back anytime, because it’s just soooo beautiful there!!!!!!
February 9, 2009 at 3:49 pm |
Very interesting! I think you should find excuses to go back!
February 9, 2009 at 4:08 pm |
That’s really interesting. I wasn’t sure if I was reading the title right at first,lol…
February 9, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
First of all; Great shot! Can see the heat, almost feel it!
Volcanoes are fascinating – from a distance! The closest I’ve been, was when I was in Pompei and observed Vesuv from a distance. Walking around in that ancient city was a reminder of the brutal force deep inside our planet. I never heard about a driv-in volcano though – I learn something new every time I visit you! 🙂
February 9, 2009 at 5:14 pm |
You should start a travel business…you know all the best places to visit!
February 9, 2009 at 5:49 pm |
That poor tour guide ~ I can’t even imagine how he lived through that. What a beautiful spot in our world though!
February 9, 2009 at 7:16 pm |
George: Looks like a really neat place to visit.
February 9, 2009 at 8:06 pm |
The whole concept of a drive-in volcano takes some getting used to. I’d love to see something like that – or is it just that all that steam looks good this time of year?
February 9, 2009 at 8:46 pm |
Good evening George, I am late today! It’s so nice to get to travel along with you and enjoy your lovely photos and interesting history. Thank you for sharing today.
February 10, 2009 at 8:50 pm |
I’m so glad you showed us a photo.
Their concept of drive-in is different than mine. I was confused on your first post. I was comparing it to Diamond Head (dormant) in Hawaii where you actually do drive inside, park and hike to the top. I’ve done that twice.
February 10, 2009 at 11:10 pm |
The picture is great and thank you so much for telling about the volanco. It was very interesting!
February 14, 2009 at 4:11 pm |
What an exciting adventure and beautiful photo. Wishing you and Betsy a lovely Valentine’s Weekend!
Hugs and blessings,
March 21, 2024 at 10:04 pm |
i am from st.lucia and this explanation that you game inspired me for my school group project