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KF5JRV > TODAY 07.05.24 10:20l 31 Lines 1857 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 20665_KF5JRV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - May 07
Path: IZ3LSV<DB0ERF<DK0WUE<DK0WUE<N2NOV<K5DAT<KF5JRV
Sent: 240507/0818Z 20665@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQ6.0.23
On May 7, 1902, Martinique’s Mount Pelée begins the deadliest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. The following day, the cit
y of Saint Pierre, which some called the Paris of the Caribbean, was virtually wiped off the map.
Mount Pelée, the name meaning bald in French, was a 4,500-foot mountain on the north side of the Caribbean island of Martinique
. On April 2, 1902, new steam vents were spotted on the peak, which overlooked the port city of Saint Pierre. Three weeks later
, tremors were felt on the island and Mount Pelée belched up a cloud of ash.
Caught up in the midst of an important election, residents of Saint Pierre failed to heed the mountain’s warnings and evacuate.
The nearby residents mistakenly believed that the only danger from the volcano was lava flow and that if lava started to flow,
they would have plenty of time to flee to safety. In fact, some people came from outside the city to view the action, even aft
er ash from the eruption began to block roads.
On May 7, activity on the volcano increased dramatically and the blasts grew significantly stronger. Overnight, there were seve
ral strong tremors and a cloud of gas with a temperature of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit spilled out of the mountain. Fin
ally, a tremendous blast in the early morning hours sent an avalanche of boiling ash down the side of the mountain.
The city of Saint Pierre was buried within minutes and virtually everyone died instantly. There were only two reported survivor
s—one was a prisoner held in an underground cell. Legend has it that he went on to be a circus attraction. In addition, 15 ship
s in the harbor were capsized by the eruption. One ship managed to stay afloat with half the crew surviving, although most suff
ered serious burns.
73 de Scott KF5JRV
Pmail: KF5JRV@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA
Email KF5JRV@gmail.com
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