SHV30 Conference Wrapped After a Week of Science, Storytelling, and Shared Vision
The Soufrière Hills Volcano 30 Years On (SHV30) Conference, held from July 14–18, 2025, has been hailed as a powerful and historic gathering — bringing together scientists, creatives, decision-makers, students, and residents for a week of reflection, knowledge-sharing, and community connection on the island of Montserrat.
Organized by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and the UWI Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC), SHV30 commemorated three decades since the onset of activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano — an event that transformed Montserrat’s landscape, population, and development path.
With participation from over 50 institutions across 15+ countries, the conference featured more than 70 presentations, poster sessions, panel discussions, and a wide range of activities exploring geoscience, risk communication, public health, education, heritage, and sustainable development.
Keynote addresses were delivered by:
- Dr. Erouscilla Joseph, Director of UWI-SRC
- Dr. Patrick Kariuki, Geoscientist from Kenya’s Geothermal Training and Research Institute (GeTRI)
- The Honourable Reuben T. Meade, Premier of Montserrat
- Mr. Franklyn Michael, Regional Disaster Management Specialist and former Director of the EOC, Montserrat
Special guests included Former Governor Frank Savage and Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley.
Throughout the week, attendees also took part in field trips, a staged reading of real letters and reports from the 1930s volcanic unrest, and a live concert that honoured the island’s cultural resilience. The Community Day, led by MVO and its partners, was a major highlight — with interactive exhibits, local vendors, and vibrant poster session.
“So much was packed into SHV30 — thank you to all who helped bridge people, fields of expertise, ideas, and places. There’s still so much potential ahead — not just to do it again, but to build it together, with more voices involved from the start, and even more people benefiting, here in Montserrat or across the region.” — Dr. Karen Pascal, Chair of the Scientific Organising Committee and Volcanologist, MVO
The success of SHV30 was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors and contributors.
Major sponsors included: The Office of the Premier, Simon’s Rock in Montserrat, IAVCEI, Deepak Enterprises, and INGV.
Additional funding was provided by: Bank of Montserrat, Montserrat Utilities Ltd (MUL), and The Governor’s Office.
We are also grateful for in-kind support and services from: GIU, ZJB Radio, Fly Montserrat, DMCA, Montserrat Red Cross, Montserrat Arts Council (MAC), Montserrat Tourism Authority, Department of Environment, Ticket Pulse, Williams Consultancy, JMA Studios, and Colourful Creations.
The SHV30 Conference demonstrated the critical importance of events that bring together scientists, decision-makers, and communities to reflect, learn, and plan for the future.
By creating space for dialogue across disciplines and generations, SHV30 strengthened not only scientific understanding but also public engagement and regional partnerships.
As small island states continue to face complex hazards, gatherings like SHV30 serve as powerful platforms to advance disaster risk reduction, enhance resilience, and ensure that both scientific insight and lived experience guide sustainable development.
