Photo: Karen ‘Lioness’ Allen

Scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) say they recorded signals of increased activity around 6am, Saturday morning.  Expecting that this dome collapse episode could go on for hours, the biggest concern was the possibility of explosive periods triggering pyroclastic flows into Tyres Ghaut, which is the upper reaches leading into the Belham River Valley.

Residents of Salem, Olveston, and Old Towne reported stones falling in those communities.  Head of the MVO, Dr. Sue Loughlin, confirmed that there was heavy ashing with accompanying small stones on the northwestern side of the island, especially in these villages.

The Chief Medical Officer also advised residents that people prone to asthma living in Old Towne, Olveston and Salem were likely to be affected by the then high level of gas.  Further informing them, they would benefit from moving out of those areas for a few hours.

Health authorities asked residents to be aware of this.  They advised that all asthmatics should consider moving north where the air was accommodating, and children, under 5yrs, were to be moved, if possible, to points further north.  Assistance moving to the north of the island was also made available to those residents who needed it.

The MVO’s scientist also said that another concern was the threat of tsunamis from the continuing pyroclastic flows of this eruptive event entering the sea.  The Commissioner of Police has confirmed that a coastal warning especially for the eastern side of the island was given.

The official coastal warning states, “Following a collapse of the dome at the Soufriére Hills Volcano in Montserrat in the early hours of Saturday, 20 May 2006, it has been reported that a tsunami has affected some coastal areas of Guadeloupe.  There are unconfirmed reports that English Harbour and Jolly Harbour in Antigua have been affected.”  It further advised Antigua, St. Kitts, and Nevis to closely monitor the activities taking place in Montserrat.

The MVO’s Director reported that Guadeloupe had a tsunami 3 feet high and an unconfirmed report that Antigua also experienced a possible tsunami ranging between 8 to 12 inches.

At the end of this explosive activity, the Emergency Department Situation Report stated that the impact of this volcanic activity included major ash falls.  This resulted in Vue Point Hotel having to move guest to Tropical Mansion Suites, in the north, due to the intensity of the ash and the high gas levels.  Salem was covered with ash.  Doctor Woods main road was blocked.  The public was kept informed as the situation unfolded. 

When it was all over, vegetation was burning beneath the volcano.  There was evidence of scarring from ballistic rocks.  There was evidence of surges reaching all the way to the Spanish Point area.  On 19 May 2006, the dome’s height was measured as being 3,270ft (1006m).  This is 83m (270ft) higher than Chances Peak, Montserrat former highest mountain. 

Now a memory, the dome has completely disintegrated and left a jagged scar where it once stood tall.  What about the people in Montserrat?  Those displaced were provided with accommodations, and the recovery process began.  The bottom line is that Montserrat’s population is safe and continues on with life as usual.