OUR CLASS SUBMITTED A SERIES OF QUESTIONS LAST WEEK. WE NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE. PLEASE RESPOND AT MY HOME ADDRESS WEEK 133 PARK STREET BROOKLINE, MA. 02146 WE HAVE 3 PEOPLE IN OUR CLASS FROM THE ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT,AND WE WANT TO KNOW HOW IS IN THE ISLAND ? ARE PEOPLE SAFE / WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN HOW DO THEY FEEL ? ARE THE SCHOOLS CLOSED ? ARE THE CHILDREN LEARNING ABOUT THE VOLCANO ? CAN WE SHARE IDEAS WITH THEM ON THE COMPUTER ? WE WROTE A LOT OF QUESTIONS . DID YOU GET THE QUESTIONS ? MAYBE IF WE TALK TO THE KIDS AND THEY TALK TO US ON COMPUTER THEY MIGHT FEEL BETTER. PLEASE TRY. ARE THE ELDERLY NERVOUS. IS THE ASH HOT. WHAT TYPE OF VOLCANO IS IT. PLEASE WRITE US BACK SOON. IN CASE IT IS LOST IN THE COMPUTER PLEASE WRITE OUR TEACHER. DID YOU EVER GET OUR QUESTIONS ?

rocky Ms. Weeks and The Class

Dear Students and Ms. Weeks,

Here is a summary of the latest conditions: The Monserrat Volcano Observatory reported that the eruption at the Soufriere Hills volcano changed significantly on April 3, 1996. Since early that morning, earthquake activity and ash emission have been nearly continuous. Explosive eruptions created numerous pyroclastic flows and generated ash clouds up to 30,000-40,000 feet (9,000-12,000 m) in height. The south part of the island has been evacuated. The volcanic dome continues to grow. Several spines have grown above the dome. The spines tend to collapse or break. A large event on April 12 generated a pyroclastic flow and an ash cloud that rose 3,000 feet (900 m) above the volcano. The number of earthquake at the volcano decreased slightly on April 18 and has remained at this lower level. Rockfalls and small explosions continued to generate up to moderate-sized (up to 6,000 feet; 2,000 m) ash clouds. As of morning of April 23, 1996, earthquakes, intermittent periods of low amplitude tremor, small explosions, and rockfalls continue.

Although activity at the volcano has been at a slightly reduced level for the last few days scientists at the observatory still view the situation with grave concern.

I cannot answer all your questions because I have not talked with anyone on the island. The evacuation has moved people to a safe location. I do not know if schools in the northern part of the island are open. I do not know how to contact schools on Monserrat or what they are being taught about volcanoes.

Soufriere Hills is a stratovolcano capped by volcanic domes. The ash erupted from the volcano is hot enough to set the forest on fire.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota 

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