Browse Items (215 total)

summary of volcanic activity, earthquakes and status of crater lake 1-30th November 1971

Reporting of unusual activity at summit of Soufrière, contains additional information about investigations and previous eruptions and relation to Martinique eruption in 1902.

Response to St Lucia staff offer (TNA#100/CC#437).

Relief at reported reduction in activity, discussion of evacuation RE nationality.

Additional handwritten note confirms 'Belongers' and 'non-belongers' are all British subjects and are not differentiated in event of disaster. Disaster aid…

A report on recent observations: Lake water remains at 80ºF, lake level still rising three to four inches per day; no earthquakes.

Follow up to item 367 (TNA Item 17 pages 132/133): Notice of HMS Berwick's dispatch to SVG, arrival expected 25/11/1971. Marine officer with communications equipment dispatched to SVG, arriving 23/11/1971.

First page: report of 'substantial body of rock above lake surface'; volcanologists had suggested naval assistance may be needed within 12 hours; report of torrential rain which would seriously hamper evacuations due to floods/landslides; at-risk…

Discusses the challenges of relief effort: finance (high cost of commisioning relief flight, £10k of FCO disaster funding in event of disaster only); provision of supplies (frigate vs neighbouring islands; plan).

Handwritten update dated…

Experienced volcanologist needed to interpret data, tension RE Tomblin.

Reply to request for more experienced volcanologists (FCO 63/881 item 26/Curating_Crises_#186); finding qualified British scientist might be difficult; money is tight.