Montserrat Today
For Friday November 21, 1997
Presented by the Information and Education Unit
of Montserrat's Emergency Department
THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
Seismicity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano has been dominated over the last 24 hours by rockfall signals and low amplitude hybrid earthquakes.
Yesterday afternoon there was a period of vigorous ash venting which caused an ash plume of 3000 feet high. However most of this was blown out to sea and the ash levels in the central and northern zones are extremely low at the moment.
The dome is still growing mainly in the south west sector of the volcano, pyroclastic flows could occur at any time.
ROYAL VISIT UPDATE:
All residents of Montserrat are invited to Brades School playing fields tomorrow at 11.30 am to see HRH the Duke of York (Prince Andrew).
HRH will tour the school and then be given the opportunity to meet people assembled there. School buses have been arranged to carry people to Brades, they will leave Salem campus of MSS and St. John's at 11 am.
HELIPORT IMPROVEMENTS:
At the Heliport at Gerald's several improvements are underway. A hard surface has been provided for the helicopters to touch down on, high voltage cables in the vicinity have been buried underground and now there are planned improvements for air traffic control.
An Air Traffic Control Cab used in Dominica after past hurricanes is being donated for use in Montserrat and is currently being shipped to the island.
FACTORY SHELL COMPLETED:
The factory shell at Brades is almost completed and ready for occupation. The 15,000 square feet factory will eventually host several business places and currently a list of possible users is being put together by the Development Unit.
HOUSING CEREMONY TODAY:
Residents allocated houses at the Davey Hill Housing Project will have their keys handed over to them this afternoon. An impressive opening ceremony was held this afternoon attended by the Minister of Housing, Hon Austin Bramble and the Chief Minister Hon David S. Brandt.
Fifty houses have been constructed on the site by Brown and Roots.
More information on Monday..................................