Population 

It is possible to classify the population of Martinique according to various levels of exposure to the volcanic hazards.

 The communities located directly on the mountainsides are the most exposed: Grand-Rivière, Macouba, Basse-Pointe, Ajoupa-Bouillon, Morne-Rouge, Saint-Pierre and le Prêcheur accomodate nearly 20, 000 people, that is to say approximately 5% of the total population of Martinique. This zone would be evacuated in priority in the event of eruption.

Depending on the style and intensity of the eruptions, in particular in the event of  a Plinian eruption, or a Mt. St Helens type blast, exposed areas would extend towards the south, and could include the communities of Carbet, Fonds-Saint-Denis, le Morne-Vert, Lorrain and Marigotr, that is to say nearly 18, 000 additional people, which would account for 10% of the total population.

 Nowadays, the center and southern parts of Martinique are the most populated, they accomodate approximately 344, 000 inhabitants. This zone is exposed to average  to weak levels of hazards, in particular the consequences of ash and lapili, as well as the occurrence of possible tsunami on the coasts.