BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Solomon Islands Government’s Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification Seismological Service Section is closely monitoring the developments on the island of Savo concerning its Volcano.
The volcano has recently shown some activity, however, it does not pose any threat to trigger an alert or early warning signal of a potential eruption.
Geo-Hazard Officer Seismological Service Division, Carlos Tatapu said in terms of volcanic monitoring, the government has recently been monitoring the volcanic activity on Savo Island, Central Island province.
He said that over the past years, the Solomon Islands have witnessed the eruption of Tinakula Volcano, which is one of the country’s most active volcanoes located in Temotu province.
According to Carlos Tatapu, the government is now working closely with U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcanic Disaster Assistant Program (VDAP) to install equipment and train local officers to monitor volcanic activity on Savo Island.
He said the equipment will be installed at Visale, North West Guadalcanal, and Savo Island, Central Islands Province.
“This installed equipment will enable the Seismological Service Section to monitor the continued activity of the Savo volcano when there is an earthquake or a volcanic eruption.
“Therefore, we are trying to continue installing every sensor at Savo Island to monitor the current activities of the volcano because it is too close to Honiara town which is a threat to Honiara,” he said.
He called on the communities of these two provinces to take ownership of the installed early warning equipment.
“From past experiences, we have witnessed the previous vandalizing of a seismic station in the country, where equipment been vandalized and solar panels been stolen.
“I appeal to our good people in the Solomon Islands to understand that these are very expensive equipment and it’s important to our lives.
“This equipment helps us to see things that are happening in terms of natural hazards and helps us to warn our people,” he stressed.
