BRADES, Montserrat (CMC):
THE SOUFRIERE Hills volcano remained quiet yesterday, calming fears of a possible major eruption but further afield a huge cloud of ash billowing forced the suspension of some flights between Venezuela and the United States.
According to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), activity at the volcano has returned to normal 'background' levels. There, however, continues to be steam venting and light ashfall.
Residents spent yesterday morning cleaning up ash and pebbles which had been spewed over sections of the island, when a dome collapsed at about 6:20 a.m. on Saturday releasing pyroclastic flows (superheated ash and rocks) into the sea near Tar River Valley, Trants and Spanish Point.
These areas are located in the eastern side of the island but they remain vacant after the evacuation of residents in 1995, following a major eruption of the volcano.
The Public Works Department and volunteer groups were also out yesterday assessing damage and assisting residents, especially the elderly and infirm, to clean up debris.
The eruption comes one and a half weeks before general elections, set for May 31.
DECREASED VISIBILITY
The decreased visibility over the Caribbean forced Venezuelan carrier Aeropostal to suspend its flights yesterday between Caracas and Miami, Aeropostal vice-president Juan Carlos Blanco told The Associated Press. Aeropostal flights to Aruba, Cuba, Curacao and the Dominican Republic were also grounded.
"As soon as it's safe to fly, we'll renew the flights," Blanco said.
A spokesman for the Simon Bolivar International Airport that serves Caracas said American Airlines had also suspended its flights between Miami and Caracas. American Airlines officials there were not immediately available for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
