Soufriere Hills at Hazard Level Four

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BRADES, Montserrat – RESULTING from a steady increase in volcanic activity over the last 10 days, posing a threat to civilians living in areas north and west of the dome, the hazard level at Soufriere Hills has been raised.

In the meeting of the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (NDPRAC) held on December 22, discussions regarding the preparatory actions to be taken for residents of the area were ongoing. Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory Dr. Nicolas Fournier recommended to the NDPRAC that the hazard level be moved to Level Four because of the increased lava extrusions, rock-falls and pyroclastic flows on the north and north-west areas of the dome.

“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, increasing the potential for material entering Tyres Ghaut.

“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,” Fournier informed.

Dr. Fournier stressed the need for increased evacuation preparedness for residents in the case of any emergency. He indicated that a public awareness campaign will also be intensified, as the Government of Montserrat moves to “assure residents and visitors that measures are continuing to ensure their safety, as well as keeping them informed on the developing situation”.