Tyres Ghaut

Ash venting at dawn 

Belham Valley

Montserrat’s week of unprecedented volcanic activity closed with dome growth focused on the north-western quadrant.  Reports from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) say that this growth has been primarily endogenous, inflation of the whole north-western section of the dome.

The most significant event of this recent volcanic activity was audible explosive activity that resulted in the largest pyroclastic flow to date entering the Belham Valley.  Deposits from this flow reached as far as the edge of Cork Hill, a run-out distance of around 5km.

The rising ash cloud was visible from all over Montserrat moving out westwards, to the south of St Georges Hill and Garibaldi Hill.  The ash cloud was reported to have reached 30,000 feet.

Pyroclastic flows were observed in Gages Valley and Tyres Ghaut simultaneously, suggesting a source high on dome directly behind Gages Mountain.

Having endured this explosive activity, residents of Montserrat were informed that subsequent observations of the dome show very little material has been removed.  It was noted, however, that the area above the head of Tyres Ghaut has been eaten back to form an amphitheatre-like structure cutting through the old crater rim.

This could conceivably channel larger volumes of dome material into Tyres Ghaut and Belham Valley during future events.  Deposits from pyroclastic surges were also observed to the north of the volcano towards Streatham and Harris, and flows had traveled into Paradise Ghaut below Harris at the bottom of Farrell's Plain. Examination of the deposits has shown them to contain abundant pumice material, consistent with explosive fragmentation.

The main event of this explosive activity was followed by a sequence of flows into Tyres Ghaut.  These flows didn't produce significantly large amplitude seismic signatures.  In the days following the January 8 episode, seismicity has remained at very low level.

The MVO’s most current volcano report indicates that subsequent pyroclastic activity has been very limited with just a few flows observed in Tyres Ghaut and even fewer in Gages Valley.  Low-level gas and ash venting from a vent on the western side continued and was at times audible as a low roaring or rumbling sound.

After dark, incandescent rockfalls have been clearly visible on a sector of the dome extending from south of west (Chances Peak) to the northeast above Farrell's plain, confirming active dome growth remains focused to the north west.  Currently, the alert level stands at 4.

On the heels of a trying week, the Government of Montserrat announced it is discussing the possible expansion of helicopter service to the island.

Chief Minister, Dr Lowell Lewis, had a meeting with the operators of Caribbean Helicopter in Antigua to discuss the proposals put forward.  Caribbean Helicopters offer flyover tours of Montserrat to cruise ship passengers and visitors to Antigua & Barbuda.  It has also been providing monitoring flights for scientists at the MVO.

Caribbean Helicopters also have the capability to provide MEDIVAC services for Montserrat from their base in Jolly Harbour in Antigua, which may be needed from time to time for medical emergencies.

Pointing out that this proposal focused on more than just emergency services, Lewis further explained, “Caribbean Helicopters wish to expand their current services to Montserrat, thereby adding to tourism growth and economic activity on the island.  They wish to do so by offering day tour itineraries which would see them landing in Montserrat with visitors from Antigua and also conducting day trip tours to Antigua from Montserrat.  The proposed expansion of Caribbean Helicopters’ services to Montserrat also comes at an opportune time with World Cup cricket being around the corner and an increasing number of cruise calls being made in Antigua.”

Discussions are continuing between the Government of Montserrat and bosses from Caribbean Helicopters to firm up the proposal for their service expansion to Montserrat.

In the meantime, those thirty evacuated families have been allowed back to the homes for a few supervised hours.  However, the mandatory evacuation of the previously specified areas is still in effect. 

Until the current dome is reduced significantly in size and/or dome growth changes away from Belham valley, the current air of uncertainty, for those residents evacuated from the edges of this hazard zone, remains tense.