Why did Plymouth stop serving as Montserrat’s capital in 1997?

Plymouth ceased to serve as the capital of Montserrat in 1997 because of catastrophic volcanic eruptions that destroyed much of the town.1

Following the destruction, government operations were moved to Brades, which now serves as the island's de facto capital. The volcanic crisis of the 1990s forced the abandonment of Plymouth, which had previously been the island's only port of entry and primary commercial center. Access to the southern two-thirds of the island, where Plymouth is located, remains restricted due to the ongoing threat of volcanic activity.123