The island of Montserrat has been wracked by it’s volcano that began erupting in 1995. Tonight, once again, there was an explosion and pyroclastic flow. It is reported that the eruption occurred without warning in that there was no significant seismic precursor activities leading up to today. Still, over the past weeks and months a dome has been growing and significant evidence of the potential was there. 

Thankfully, the blast did not affect inhabited areas. The flow traveled through the abandoned town of Plymouth till it reached the sea, setting houses on fire in its path. The town was evacuated before it was pretty much destroyed and killed 19 people in 1997. Notable volcanic activity subsequently has occurred every year since then.

When I was down in Antigua some years back, I remember viewing a plume coming off the island while enjoying a Shirley Heights party. Then again just a couple of years ago, our flights into San Juan from the BVI got cancelled because ash in the air over the San Juan airport had shut it down. Optimistically I say, the chances of this affecting our next flotilla down in the BVI commencing next week are slim. The wind doesn’t blow from the South in the winter. Right ? 

Tags: 2008, bvi, december, eruption, flotilla, montserat, montserrat, Sailing, volcano

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