RESEARCHERS FROM St Andrews University are to conduct urgent investigations of an increasingly dangerous volcano in the West Indies. They will fly to Montserrat next week to determine how much of a threat the volcano is to those living near it.

A lava dome at the summit of the Soufriere Hills volcano has been growing since August, as magma is forced up from within the earth. It is feared the dome could collapse, spilling hot rocks and ash downhill, destroying everything in their path.

The St Andrews team have been collaborating to develop a new instrument to measure volcanoes and allow a better warning system. They received a Natural Environment Research Council grant to fly to Montserrat, after recent observations noted the lava dome is now visible above the crater rim.

Researcher Dr David Macfarlane, who will supervise the project, said, “This trip is urgent since it is the first time we have been able to see the new dome from safe positions outside the crater. While this growth could go on for months to years, it could suddenly stop or the dome could suffer a major collapse.”

He and his colleagues will measure the shape and growth rate of the lava dome and the amount and temperature of the lava. For two weeks they will observe from the ground and by helicopter, feeding back to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory that informs the Montserrat government of hazard and risk.

They will be using their new instrument, the AVTIS (All-weather Volcano Topography Imaging Sensor), which has an combined radar and thermal imager.

Dr Macfarlane said, “Such a detailed series of measurements have not been achieved before and we expect some exciting findings. This instrument allows us to continuously measure the growing volcano regardless of the weather... and gain crucial insights into the mechanisms driving the volcano.

“This opportunity may not present itself again for years and we hope it will benefit the people of Montserrat since our projected growth rates will help the government with their risk assessment.”