The distribution of bromine monoxide (BrO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) was measured by ground-based MAX DOAS (scattered light Multi Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) in the plume of five volcanoes:; Soufriere Hills Volcano on Montserrat in May 2002, Masaya volcano in Nicaragua in March 2003, Etna volcano on Sicily in September/October 2003 and August-October 2004, Stromboli volcano in Italy in September 2003, and Villarica in Chile in November 2004. Maximum slant column densities (SCDs) of several 10(14) molecules/cm(2) of BrO were observed. Bromine monoxide/sulphur dioxide ratios of 10.0 X 10(-4), 0.8 X 10(-4), 4.8 x 10(-4) 2.1 X 10(-4) 2.1.10(-4) and 1.3 x 10(-4) were found in the plumes of Soufti&e Hills, Masaya, Etna 2003, Etna 2004, Stromboli and Villarica, respectively. Causes for the differences in the BrO/SO2 ratios for the various volcanic sites are discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.