March Dust from the Soufriere

Abstract

SIR W. THISELTON-DYER has kindly forwarded to me a packet of volcanic dust sent to him by Dr. D. Morris, which fell in Barbados last month after an eruption of the Soufriore of St. Vincent, a brief description of which may be of interest. The sample, Dr. Morris states, was collected at Chelston, Bridgetown, on sheets laid out upon the lawn, the material being brought in and weighed every hour, and the fall continuing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the eruption. It is free from all extraneous matter, and may be regarded as typical of the ash which fell on Barbados. The weight of this is estimated at about 6000 pounds (avoir.) per acre. At an average rate of three tons per acre, this would be equivalent to about 300,000 tons for the whole island.