‘At 1:49 pm 5^th Feb 2010 a vulcanian explosion occurred from  Soufriere Hills volcano.

 The event lasted 7 mins and sent pyroclastic flows mainly to the west of the volcano with pyroclastic flows rapidly reaching Plymouth and spreading across the sea for around 500 m. Short pyroclastic flows, up to 2 km runout, also travelled down Tyers Ghaut to the northwest and Whites Ghaut to the northeast. A plume rose rapidly to 21,000 ft (confirmed by pilot reports). There was no lapilli or ash fallout in inhabited regions due to an easterly wind direction. Precursory activity included only ash venting, although the event coincided with a cycle of increased activity.'