During the year 1889, the reactivation of fumarolles is reported at the summit.

In February 1902, strong sulfur smells are perceived, first in the vicinity of Prêcheur, then in Fond Coré (North Saint-Pierre).

 

April 1902
The 22nd, the telegraph cable between Martinique and Guadeloupe is broken.

The 24th, a column of black smoke arises from the Etang Sec crater, up to a height of 1600-1900 ft.

The 25th, the village of Prêcheur is covered with ash.

The 28th, strong rumblings are heard, as the vapor column becomes higher and the Blanche river (rivière Blanche) floods.

 

 

May 1902
The 2nd, abundant ashfalls on Prêcheur and on the quarters of St. Philomène and Abymes. Dull rumblings can still be heard. The black column of vapor is furrowed with lightning. The first ashfall is reported on St.Pierre, whereas a thin layer of dust covers the whole island.

The 3rd, total darkness over Prêcheur and all the streams are dried up. Many inhabitants seek refuge in St. Pierre.

The 5th, one of the sides of the Etang Sec Crater suddenly falls apart, giving way to a devastating mudflow which destroys the sugar mill Guérin on the coast between St.Pierre and Prêcheur. The first 25 deaths are reported.

The 6th, all the rivers around the volcano are flooding. The telegraph cable between St.Pierre and St.Lucia is broken. Numerous glowing phenomena are observed over the crater.

The 7th, houses collapse and trees break down under the weight of the ash.

The 8th, at around 3:00 am, mudflows destroy houses in Grand-Rivière, Macouba and Basse-Pointe. At 5:00 am, a mudflow floods Prêcheur, carrying away 800 people. At 8:02 am, St. Pierre is destroyed by a pyroclastic flow devasting an area of approx. 22 sq miles.

 

 

 

 

The 20th, a new paroxysm throws a dense ash plume over Fort-de-France.
On May 26th, and 28th, new violent eruptions are reported.


June 1902
The 6th, a new eruption sends a pyroclastic flow down the river Blanche valley, whereas a large ash plume covers the island. Ashfalls are reported in St. Lucia.


July 1902
The 9th, a new nuee ardente (glowing avalanche) travels on the south-western side, and it is followed by several vertical explosions.


August 1902
August 30, following several days of increasing activity, a new avalanche travels on the East-South-East and Southern sides of the volcano, partly destroying the villages of Morne-Rouge, and Ajoupa-Bouillon, reaching quarters in Basse-Pointe and Lorrain. The phenomenon claims another 1,000 lives. The area destroyed is approx. 44 sq miles.


After August 30th, the volcanic activity continues with a dome growth and the formation of lava spines at the summit. Other pyroclastic flows are developed, mainly in the river Blanche valley.
The activity has stopped in the year 1905.