On July 18th of 1995, Montserrat’s sleeping volcano rumbled back to life after hundreds of years of dormancy. Over the next 10 years, David Lea’s “The Price of Paradise” video series kept the Montserrat community, and many others around the world, informed of the incredible events taking place during those volcanic days.

Now he has taken the highlights of his extensive archive and created a “video journal” that places the viewer right in the middle of an unfolding disaster. This DVD is an unusual record for us today and a historical document for the generations to come. The eruption begins with the first steam vents of 1995 that lead to the massive explosive eruptions of 1997 and the deaths of 19 people. The story continues on to the dome building phase, collapses and massive ash falls of the new millennium.

The viewer can then go to the bonus menu and choose from nine different items like: Survivors stories, The gowing dome at night, A walk through the buried city in 2003, The solar eclipse, 3 exciting days in July 1997, Books to read, Poetry, A drive through Plymouth in 1984 and a tour showing the ongoing rebuilding of the north

This educational video was created for university students taking introductory courses in geology, earth science, and environmental sciences. However the authors feel that it will be enjoyed by a much wider audience, interested in understanding volcanoes and appreciating these great spectacles of nature. This educational DVD set contains the English, Spanish, French and Japanese versions. Two-disc DVD set has been updated with all the latest images in the English & Japanese versions.

David Lea has documented the eruption from its beginnings in 1995. His spectacular video images have become known world-wide and provide the backdrop for this unique, educational project. This 2007 Edition not only tells the story of the eruption, but also looks into the major volcanic processes of andesite volcanoes, describes the products and effects of the eruption, introduces modern methods of monitoring an active volcano, and shows the human consequences of volcanic activity on a small island community.

Professor Steve Sparks of Bristol University (UK)  explains the phenomena and then takes you on a video field trip where you will learn about the plate tectonic origin of andesite volcanoes, lava dome growth, the chemistry and mineralogy of andesite, pyroclastic flows, explosive eruptions, ash fall, debris avalanche, volcanic blasts, lahars and volcanic hazards. Spectacular and unique video images of each phenomenon are followed by explanations of the   effects, the deposits,  and other hazards in the field.

This educational DVD was created for younger school students taking courses in physical geography, geology, and earth science. This 25 minute film tells the story of the eruption, explains major volcanic processes, describes the effects of the eruption, introduces modern methods of monitoring an active volcano, and considers the impact of volcanic activity on a small island community. The film includes animations to explain the plate tectonic origin of volcanoes, the nature of magma, lava dome growth, pyroclastic flows, volcanic explosions, volcanic ash and pumice, volcanic blasts, lahars and volcanic hazards. Outstanding images of each phenomenon are accompanied by explanations by Professor Steve Sparks of the causes, effects and hazards. The film can also be enjoyed by a much wider audience interested in understanding volcanoes and appreciating these great spectacles of nature.

David Lea lives on Montserrat and has documented the eruption in film from its beginnings in 1995. His spectacular video images provide the backdrop for this unique, educational study.

Professor Steve Sparks of Bristol University (UK) wrote the script that explains basic ideas about volcanoes and their hazards. He also takes you into the field to explain some of the effects of volcanoes.