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| Mt. Pelée -- The violent eruption of Mt. Pelée on May 8, 1902 generated a pyroclastic flow that rapidly moved down the River Blanche to destroy the small city of St. Pierre on the Island of Martinique. The pyroclastic flow killed over 25,000 people. This 1987 photo shows the rebuilt town of St. Pierre in the middle distance. Mt. Pelée, which lacks vegetation on its summit, most likely acquired its name from the French word Pelé, which means "bald". Courtesy of Peter Francis. |