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Soufriere not quite "dormant"

Posted by CaribShout on October 7, 2009 at 10:22pm

It was just a matter of weeks ago when Montserratians, at least some of them, were beginning to think they could breathe a sigh of relief and relax their guard. That's because scientists monitoring the Soufriere Hills Volcano had been speculating that the volcano, after months of apparent inactivity, was probably going into a dormant phase. That hope was dashed on Monday 5th October when after ten months, the peace was shattered and Soufriere spewed ash two miles high into the atmosphere. James White, the acting director of Disaster Management on the island, said it was just a reminder that the volcano was still active. But he said there was no need for panic. Taking eruptions in stride The expulsion left only a light coating in the island's inhabited areas. But it was a strong reminder that there continues to be major seismic activity that can impact directly on Montserratian lives. Still, some on the island have a sense of humour about the whole affair. This was how Tina Bretton chronicled events the day after, on Tuesday 6 October: "Soufriere Hills volcano was up early today, we had two ash venting events around 6:00 this morning, the second event reach close to 20,000ft. The winds are still right and sending the ash over Plymouth (destroyed capital) and to the west-southwest of the island. This is good, no ash in the inhabited areas (meaning my house..No ash)". Her Tuesday account followed official word to residents that they could expect an elevated level of activity at the volcano, after the main ash-venting session that drew people's attention sharply back to the fact that Montserratians on the island are living side by side with an active volcano. Rethinking the dormant phase argument So how do the authorities explain the dormant phase scenario that had been mooted? Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory Paul Cole has explained that that was just one interpretation of what might happen next, and that others, such as a pause in activity, had also been suggested. The experts already monitoring its actions now intend to keep an even closer watch on things. But, it's not as though Montserratians are not accustomed to trying to make things "business as usual", with one eye on daily affairs and the other on the Soufriere Hills. Many have felt its wrath and know that taking chances can be fatal. Lives have been lost The Volcano became active in 1995, killing 19 people when it erupted two years later. Montserrat

Earlier destruction caused by the volcano Much of the British territory was made uninhabitable, and more than half of Montserrat's 12,000 inhabitants saw this as a signal to move on. Many headed for the United States and Britain, while others settled closer to home in some of the neighbouring islands like Antigua. Montserrat's Georgian era capital Plymouth was destroyed. Looking to the future The island is under new management today, following the recent elections in which former Chief Minister Reuben Meade and his MCAP (Movement for Change and Prosperity) was voted into office. Like those of other governments before, the new administration's efforts will be overshadowed by a rumbling volcano the island's residents are hoping will one day soon decide to "go back to sleep". But those who've just experienced the breaking of the ten month "pause" first hand, while still hopeful, are no doubt questioning the likelihood of that happening anytime soon.

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