Suggested Nature of the Phenomena of the Eruption of Mont Pelee on July 9. Observed by the Royal Society Commission

Abstract

ALTHOUGH Dr. Anderson and Dr. Flett were able, at the largely attended meeting of the Royal Society on November 20, to add little to what they had published in their preliminary report three months ago, beyond exhibiting the very full and excellent series of photographs of the affected regions of the Soufrière and Mont Pelée eruptions, they succeeded in exciting renewed interest in the problem of the nature of that eruption of Mont Pelée on the evening of July 9, which they had the exceptionally good fortune to witness under most favourable conditions. The photographs and perfect description of this particular outburst give it an unsurpassed value as a contribution to the scientific history of volcanoes, and the Royal Society has therefore the greatest reason to congratulate itself upon the success—a success almost beyond the most sanguine expectation—of its commission to Drs. Anderson and Flett to visit the scene of these eruptions.