Alert raised at Soufriere Hills Volcano

The Soufrière Hills Volcano on Montserrat has been erupting since 1995 and has rendered almost two-thirds of the island uninhabitable, including the former capital of Plymouth. (Photo: Greg Scott, Caribbean Helicopters)

BRADES, Montserrat, December 23, 2008 – Disaster preparedness officials in Montserrat have raised the hazard level of the Soufriere Hills Volcano following steadily increasing activity over the last 10 days.

The decision was taken at a National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (NDPRAC) meeting yesterday which was held to look at the possible impact of the activity on nearby communities and determine what preparatory actions should be taken.

Although not mandating any evacuation at this time, Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Dr Nicolas Fournier recommended that the hazard level be increased from three to four, due to the threat to areas north and west of the dome, and urged increased preparedness for those living in Zone B of the island, which includes Isles Bay, Waterworks, parts of Old Towne and the lower part of Happy Hill.

Level three signifies mild activity that threatens the west of the island; significant change of measured activity and high measured activity, while level four relates to lava extrusion that threatens the north or west and a large unstable dome to the north or west.

“Since Saturday December 20, rock falls and pyroclastic flows started to go down Tyres Ghaut, a few reaching the very lower part of the ghaut, in less than three minutes. There is a lack of warning signs before such rock-falls/pyroclastic flows. Lava extrusion is now occurring at/or very near - the top of the old dome, on the north-northwestern side, increasing the potential for material entering Tyres Ghaut,” Dr Fournier said, adding that the activity is extremely unlikely to decrease over the coming few weeks.

“Even if the level of activity remains the same, the hazard level is likely to increase due to potential accumulation of new lava high-up in the dome,” he further advised.

A public awareness campaign is expected to be intensified as the government moves to assure residents and visitors that measures are continuing to ensure their safety, as well as keeping them informed on the developing situation.