On 2 December 2008, the Soufriere Hills Volcano exploded without warning.
According to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), “There was an explosion and pyroclastic flow at the Soufriere Hills Volcano at approximately 9:35pm local time on 2 December 2008.”
The MVO’s scientist report, “The explosion appears to have taken place on the western side of the lava dome. The explosion sent large blocks to distances up to a kilometer from the dome. Incandescent blocks were scattered over the north-western side of Gages Mountain which implies a vertical element to the explosion. There have been no reports of air-fall pumice or ballistics in inhabited areas.”
The MVO reports, “the pyroclastic flow was on the western flank of the volcano. It traveled down Gages Valley and into Plymouth and appears to have reached the sea. Buildings were set alight in Plymouth and could be seen burning from Salem for several hours afterwards.
Reports reveal that the explosion and pyroclastic flow both generated ash columns and these were accompanied by lightning strikes. It was not possible to estimate the height of the ash columns. The ash was blown to the west, and there have been no report of ash fall in inhabited areas.
The hazard level remains at a 3.
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