Montserrat Today
For Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday - April 13/14/15, 1998
Presented by the Information Unit of the
Government of Montserrat's Emergency Department
A newsletter produced for E mail subscribers and presented by the Emergency Department, Governor's Office, Montserrat.
THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
Over the Easter weekend, the level of activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano has been low. There were just a few volcano-tectonic earthquakes recorded plus a single hybrid event. In addition there have been a few rockfall signals.
Heavy rain over the last few days has caused the dome to be shrouded in cloud, however the last observation on Saturday showed little change.
Over the Easter weekend, MVO staff have collected samples from the Boxing Day 1997 deposits, re-established GPS and theodolite sites in the south and have continued their work on the installation of the broadband seismometer.
Over the holiday weekend, dust levels remained low at all monitoring stations.
EXCURSIONS CONTINUE:
The recent lull in activity at the volcano is allowing residents to go in to certain areas of the exclusion zone, under police supervision, to bring out their personal belongings left behind when the areas were evacuated.
So far residents of Salem, Isles Bay Hill, Woodsville, Corkhill, Delvins, Weekes, St Georges Hill, Foxes Bay, Groves and Richmond Hill areas have been allowed to visit their homes for very short periods of time under this programme.
The Plymouth area and areas to the east and south are still no access areas as they have all been impacted by pyroclastic flows and the deposits are still hot.
EMERGENCY DEPT REPRESENTED AT ST KITTS MEETING:
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) is hosting a forum in St Kitts this week for regional National Disaster Organisations. The organisations from throughout CARICOM will share and discuss issues pertinent to disaster management within their own countries.
Representing Montserrat at the meeting is the head of the Emergency Department, Permanent Secretary, Franklyn Michael who will share information about the ongoing volcanic crisis with his regional colleagues.
CRICKET PRACTICE STRIP PREPARED:
A cricket practice strip has been prepared at Brades for members of the National Cricket Squad as they tune up for the 1998 Leewards Tournament.
There has been no cricket played on the island this year because there are no pitches available in the north of the island. However, national players are keen to compete and hence the practice strip. Several players are competing in local leagues in Antigua and will join the local squad shortly.
MONTSERRAT FEATURED IN WASHINGTON POST:
Montserrat was featured this morning (April 14th) in the prestigious USA based newspaper "The Washington Post".
An article "Montserrat Dusts Itself Off" written by Serge F. Kovaleski of the Post's Foreign Service features quotes from H.E. The Governor, Mr Tony Abbott and the Chief Minister, Hon David S. Brandt as well as taxi driver Joe Phillip.
The article was researched by Mr Kovaleski during a vist to the island last week.
EASTER ACTIVITIES:
Over the Easter break, Montserratians carried out a wide range of activities despite the volcano. As usual, most residents attended church services over the weekend and on Monday a group climbed to the top of Katy Hill, the highest point in the north of the island.
Also on Easter Monday, the traditional Woodlands Beach fete was held despite the heavy rain. The entertainment was provided by the local band "Silicosis".
More information later in the week...........................
Published by the Education & Information Unit, Emergency Dept St John's Village, Montserrat, Leeward Islands, West Indies. Tel: 664 491 7166 Fax: 664 491 2474 E mail: monmedia@candw.ag Richard Aspin, Unit Co-ordinator.