The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) encourages research on the Soufriere Hills Volcano. Scientists are requested to make a formal proposal for research projects and activities. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory is an entity of the Government of Montserrat and is a consortium of scientific and technical staff of the Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies (SRU), the British Geological Survey (BGS) and Montserrat staff. Scientists from other countries, such as the US Geological Survey, are also occasional members of the MVO. The scientific management of the MVO work is the responsibility of the Chief Scientist which alternates between the SRU and the BGS. The overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the scientific effort is with the Seismic Research Unit. Below is attached the conditions for work on Montserrat for visiting scientists working either as members of MVO, or as affiliated researchers working in collaboration with MVO or as largely independent researchers working with logistic support of the MVO. Some logistic support is essential for work in the restricted zones while the volcano remains active and it will be assumed that scientists to which logistic support is given will adhere to the arrangements in the accompanying document.
Scientists now considering developing research projects on Montserrat are asked to make a formal request to the Seismic Research Unit in Trinidad to Mr Lloyd Lynch with a copy going to the Chief Scientist in post on Montserrat. Such requests should indicate the purpose of the project, the extent to which collaboration is anticipated with MVO staff and information about logistics. It is likely that most research projects in the current circumstances will require logistic support from MVO. Therefore the proposal should indicate what level of support might be required. Substantial support ( for example use of the helicopter) might require and indication of financial support, although MVO is willing to help whenever possible to support high quality research projects which contribute to understanding the volcano.