Vulkane in Basse-Terre

Volcanic Wonders

Basse-Terre’s volcanic landscape is dominated by the Grande Découverte-Soufrière complex. At 1,467 meters, La Grande Soufrière is the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles and remains an active stratovolcano with visible fumaroles and sulfur vents. The surrounding terrain features ancient crater rims like Nez Cassé and secondary peaks such as Morne Carmichaël. Geothermal activity is present throughout the area, feeding the sulfurous pools of Les Bains Jaunes and the Matouba hot springs.

Alma Mulalic and Yann Fauché / CC BY-SA 3.0

La Grande Soufrière

La Grande Soufrière, is an active stratovolcano on the French island of Basse-Terre, in Guadeloupe.

Carmichael Mountain

Standing at 1,414 meters, this peak is the second highest in Guadeloupe and forms part of the volcanic massif surrounding La Soufrière.

Alma Mulalic and Yann Fauché / CC BY-SA 3.0

La Découverte

The summit point of the Grande Découverte-Soufrière volcanic complex, reaching an elevation of 1,467 meters.

Source Chaude de Matouba

Geothermal hot springs located along the Rivière Rouge, heated by the underlying volcanic activity of the Soufrière massif.

Les Bains Jaunes

Natural thermal pools located at the trailhead of La Soufrière, containing sulfurous water naturally heated to approximately 30°C.

Nez Cassé

A volcanic peak reaching 1,211 meters, characterized by its distinct jagged profile on the western flank of the Soufrière massif.

Grande Découverte

The primary volcanic structure of the massif, formed approximately 200,000 years ago and predating the current La Soufrière dome.