Montserrat Update 017
From: Global Volcanism Network
Subject: Montserrat: Volcano DHA-14
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 95 14:21:28 EST
MONTSERRAT-VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
DHA INFORMATION REPORT NO. 14
8 DECEMBER 1995
1. INCREASED VOLCANIC ACTIVITY HAS BEEN REPORTED IN CHANCES PEAK VOLCANO
WITH THE LAVA DOMES IN THE SOUTH WEST CRATER CONTINUING TO GROW AND NOW
REPRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT THREAT. THERE HAVE BEEN A SMALL NUMBER OF MINI
COLLAPSES WHEN ROCKS HAVE BROKEN OFF THE DOME, EACH PRODUCING SMALL
PYROCLASTIC FLOWS. MATERIAL FROM ONE OF THE DOMES IS NOW BUILDING UP
AGAINST THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE CRATER WALL WHICH WOULD POSE A MAJOR THREAT
TO PLYMOUTH SHOULD IT GROW BEYOND THE HEIGHT OF THE CRATER. THE WHOLE OF
THE CASTLE'S PEAK IS NOW UNSTABLE AND SECTIONS OF IT OR THE CRATER RIM
COULD COLLAPSE TO THREATEN SETTLEMENTS ON THE LOWER FLANKS OF THE VOLCANO.
2. DUE TO THE INSTABILITY OF THE SITUATION, THE GOVERNOR OF
MONTSERRAT DECLARED ON 1 DECEMBER 1995, A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN
THE ISLAND. PLYMOUTH AND ALL SURROUNDING AREAS DESIGNATED BY THE
SCIENTIFIC TEAM AS BEING IN THE DANGER ZONE WERE EVACUATED BY 2
DECEMBER TO THE SAFETY ZONE IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND. THE
EVACUATION PROCEEDED IN A ORDERLY MANNER AND THE APPROXIMATELY
6,000 EVACUEES WERE HOUSED IN SHELTERS, CHURCH HALLS, PRIVATE HOMES
AND TENTS.
3. MONTSERRAT IS A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY AND, AS MENTIONED IN
PREVIOUS REPORTS, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN INVOLVED CLOSELY
WITH THE RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS OVER THE PAST FIVE MONTHS.
4. TO-DATE, SOME GBP 2 MILLION (APPROXIMATELY USD 3 MILLION) HAS
BEEN SPENT BY THE BRITISH GVT ON CONTINGENCY PLANS AND FURTHER GBP
1 MILLION (APPROXIMATELY USD 1,5 MILLION) COMMITTED, TO PREPARE
BOTH THE NORTH OF MONTSERRAT AND AN OFF ISLAND EVACUATION CENTRE IN
ANTIGUA; TO PROVIDE SCIENTIFIC TEAMS FROM THE UK, THE US AND THE
UNIVERSITY OF WEST INDIES AND TO EQUIP MONTSERRAT WITH A LARGE
RANGE OF EMERGENCY STORES. THIS SUM EXCLUDES TECHNICAL PROVIDED BY
THE MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES.
TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-917-1234
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY: TELEPHONE +41-22-917-2010
DESK OFFICER: CARLOS PEREIRA,DIRECT TEL: +41-22-917.13.83
PRESS TO CONTACT: MRS. MOULIN-ACEVEDO
TEL: +41-22-917-28-56
TELEX: 414242 DHA CH
FAX: +41-22-917-0023
ELECTRONIC MAIL: INTERNET DHAGVA AT UN.ORG
= DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS +
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