The Nexus Between Rainfall and Land Degradation: The Vincentian Experience. R. Reynold Murray

The landmass called St Vincent is 335km2 of volcanic deposit formed during the Pleistocene Era (2m years ago) form two major volcanic eruptions. The island has a central north south mountain range and several stream filled valleys draining unto black sand beaches reflective of their volcanic origin. Fifty percent of the island consists of slopes >30° with only 20% having slope below 20°. During the last three hundred years, the volcano had five major eruptions; 1718, 1812, 1902, 1971 and 1979.