Soufriere Hills eruption, ISS image. North is at lower right. This volcano, on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, began erupting in July 1995. Since then it has been nearly continually active. Since 1997, eruptions have destroyed cities and most of the population has left the island. This ash and steam plume (white) is seen on 11 October 2009. The grey deposits are pyroclastic flows and volcanic mudflows (lahars), extending from the volcano toward the coast. Sunglint from waves is seen on the surface of the sea. Photographed from the International Space Station (ISS) at 18:16 on 11 October 2009 by an Expedition 21 crew member.