Montagne Pelée: Martinique's Iconic Volcano

There is no "Martinique mountain range." The island's defining peak is Montagne Pelée ("Bald Mountain"), an active stratovolcano in northern Martinique (French Caribbean).

Key Facts

• Elevation: 1,397 m (4,583 ft)
• Type: Stratovolcano (andesitic)
• Last Major Eruption: 1929–1932 (effusive dome growth)
• Catastrophic 1902 Eruption: Pyroclastic flow destroyed Saint-Pierre ("Paris of the Caribbean"), killing ~30,000 in minutes—deadliest volcanic disaster of 20th century
• Monitoring: OVSM (Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de Martinique) operates 24/7 surveillance

The volcano dominates the island's geography, ecology, and history. Its slopes host cloud forests; its eruptions have shaped Martinique's destiny.