Twenty-first anniversary of volcanic eruption in Montserrat

BRADES, Montserrat, Jul 18, CMC – Twenty one years after the Soufrière Hills Volcano roared to life after lying dormant for hundreds of years, authorities are still reporting activity at the volcano.

The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) has noted that last week, that while activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano remains low, the seismic network recorded two volcano-tectonic earthquakes.

It said that Sulphur-dioxide measurements were not possible during the reporting period.

“Pyroclastic flows can occur at any time without warning on any side of the volcano, including Gages from where they can travel rapidly into Plymouth. Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by flash flooding or lahars, and caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall,” it warned.

Via CMC

The MVO said that the hazard Level is at One and that there is “no public access to Zone V, including Plymouth, the former capital.

“Maritime Zones E and W are daytime transit only between sunrise and sunset (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop). Anyone who ignores these restrictions is liable to be prosecuted,” the MVO warned.

On July 18, the previously dormant Soufriere Hills volcano in the southern part of the British Overseas Territory, became active. Eruptions destroyed the island’s Georgian era capital city and between 1995 and 2000, two-thirds of the island’s population was forced to flee, primarily to the United Kingdom.