Montserrat Today
For Thursday December 18, 1997
Presented by the Information and Education Unit
of Montserrat's Emergency Department
THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
The activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano remained about the same for the last 24 hours. There were about 100 rockfall signals and some long period and hybrid earthquake events.
There were some views of the dome possible yesterday and it was seen that there is almost continuous rockfall from the Galways area of the dome. During the clear viewing period, the dome height was estimated at 3200 feet above sea level.
Recent GPS surveys show that there is no clear trends in the movement of points in the various networks. Ash levels continue to be quite low although there was a little ash fallout in the central zone last evening.
Activity is still quite subdued and is mainly focused on the central point of the volcano and the current growth activity is in the area above Galways. Pyroclastic falls are expected from this area in the near future and residents must remain alert.
GOVERNOR HOSTS CHILDREN:
The Governor of Montserrat, H.E. Anthony Abbott and Mrs Abbott hosted over 170 school children from the Brades Primary School at a Christmas party at Government House in Woodlands yesterday.
This is the second party within two weeks at Government House, earlier in the month children from St Augustine's School attended a similar party.
Teenagers from the Montserrat Secondary School have been invited to a party courtesy of the West Indies Guard Ship, HMS Newcastle this coming weekend to be held on board and at Little Bay beach.
DAVEY HILL ESTATE ROADS NOT YET SURFACED:
Brown & Root the company who built the housing on the Davey Hill Estate have not yet surfaced the roads on the project.
The roads are feeder roads to other developments and it is thought they could be damaged by the heavy traffic using the roads as access to these other projects. It is hoped that surfacing can begin in the New Year.
HOT MIX PLANT FINISHED:
The installation work on the new hot mix plant at Brades has finished but it will be some time before it can be used.
The bitumen ordered many months ago in Trinidad has not yet arrived on island because of shipping difficulties. Bitumen for Montserrat has to be shipped in drums and finding a boat to do this on a regular basis is proving difficult.
Hopefully the difficulties will be sorted out early in the New Year according to Ministry of Communications & Works officials.
MONTSERRAT REPORT:
(continued from yesterday)
(30) We recommend that a liaison officer be established without delay to help Montserratians as they settle in the U.K. to adjust to life here. From the meetings we had with Montserratians in the Caribbean we also believe there is a need for clear and comprehensive information to be distributed to Montserratians there concerning their rights and entitlements if they relocate to the U.K., how to apply for accommodation and other benefits, opportunities for education and employment, and bodies which can be of assistance.
(31) We recommend that the current rules be waived to allow Montserratian driving licenses to retain their validity.
(32) We believe that it is in the best interest of Montserratians in the U.K. that they are assessed for effects of past ash exposure, that they be advised accordingly, with special reference made to groups at particular risk, and that in areas where there are significant Montserratian communities the Health Authorities be advised how best to meet this need. (more tomorrow)
More information tomorrow....................................