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The volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat shot a plume of ash more than two miles into the sky today, lightly dusting the small island. The venting by the Soufriere Hills volcano has been accompanied by more than 30 tiny earthquakes since last night, according to Paul Cole, director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. He said it was the volcano's first sign of activity in 10 months. "It's just a reminder that the volcano is still active," said James White Jr, acting director of the island's disaster management coordination agency. "It isn't something for us to panic over." (GUARDIAN )
sh released in several bursts from the volcano passed south of Old Town and Olveston, leaving only a light coating in the island's inhabited areas. But the observatory said more ash could fall depending on the wind direction.Soufriere Hills became active in 1995 and killed 19 people when it erupted two years later, burying much of the British territory and prompting half its 12,000 inhabitants to leave. Meanwhile, a moderate earthquake rattled St Maarten and nearby Caribbean islands today, sending hundreds of jarred islanders and tourists running out of buildings. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the magnitude 4.5 quake. It struck at a depth of 22 miles and the epicentre was located east of St Maarten, which shares a tiny island with the French territory of St Martin. The US Geological Survey said the temblor hit today around 12.30pm US eastern time (15.30 BST). It was also felt on the Caribbean islands of Anguilla, St Barts, St Kitts and St Eustatius. Jackie Joseph, a resident of the densely populated St Peters district of St Maarten, said schoolchildren ran screaming out of classrooms. The quake also drove scores of frightened people into the streets in the islands' business districts. |
