St. Lucia is considered to have a significant volcanic hazard, as it is home to the Qualibou volcano, also known as the Soufrière Volcanic Centre. The island is part of the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc, a chain of active volcanoes formed by the subduction of the Atlantic plate beneath the Caribbean plate. The most famous feature is the "Drive-In Volcano" at Sulphur Springs, which is a geothermal field with bubbling mud pools and fumaroles. While the last major magmatic eruption occurred roughly 20,000 years ago, there have been several "phreatic" (steam-driven) eruptions in historical times, the most recent being in 1766. The volcanic hazard level is monitored by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, which categorizes the volcano as "active but currently dormant." The primary risks in the event of renewed activity would include volcanic ash fall, pyroclastic flows, and lahars (mudflows), particularly for the communities surrounding the town of Soufrière. Because the island is small and mountainous, a significant eruption could have a devastating impact on the local economy, tourism, and infrastructure, making ongoing monitoring a high priority for local authorities.