SRC to Continue Managing Montserrat Volcano Observatory
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Seismic Research Centre of the University of the West Indies (UWI-SRC) Friday said its scientists will continue to operate the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) following an interim two-year contract being agreed with the government on the British Overseas Territory.
The Soufriere Hills volcano erupts in the Caribbean island of Montserrat on January 23, 2010. It has been one of the most active volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean in recent years [File: Wayne Fenton/AP Photo]It said that the management contract will run until September 2023 and represents the continuation of a longstanding relationship with the government.
The UWI-SRC monitored the Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV) prior to the start of the eruption in1995. The agency also provided scientific support during the early stages of the eruption, before oversight of the management of the observatory transitioned to the British Geological Survey until 2008.
Since then, the MVO has been continuously managed by the UWI-SRC, including during its last major activity in 2010. Montserrat is also one of the UWI-SRC’s nine contributing territories.
“I, and the rest of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory Board, are pleased to have this contract in place ensuring continuity in the vital function of monitoring our still active volcano,” said
Governor Andy Pearce, who is the joint chair of the MVO board.
“The dedicated, professional experts at the MVO are critical to the disaster preparedness of our island, as the recent eruptions in St. Vincent and La Palma have shown. The MVO operation is at the leading edge of this area of science and has supported our neighbours in St. Vincent during that eruption. We look forward to continuing to work with the MVO and the UK-government funded Scientific Advisory Council in the coming two years,” he added.
UWI-SRC director, Dr. Erouscilla Joseph said the opportunity to serve the people of Montserrat and conduct scientific research on the “Emerald Isle” is a privilege not lost on UWI-SRC/MVO scientists and technicians.
“We are pleased to be given the opportunity to continue to build on the progress made at the MVO since 2008. The valuable contribution to the region made by the MVO was evidenced during the recent eruption of La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent, where MVO scientists made a significant contribution to management of the crisis.”
Under the contract, six UWI-SRC scientists are based full-time in Montserrat with UWI-SRC volcanologist Dr. Graham Ryan, at the helm as MVO director.
The Soufrière Hills are an active, complex stratovolcano with many lava domes forming its summit on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. After a long period of dormancy, the Soufrière Hills volcano became active in 1995 and has continued to erupt ever since.
