Volcano Causes Exodus From Caribbean Island

Banks ran out of U.S. dollars and the passport office was out of passports Wednesday as people left Montserrat despite government attempts to allay fears about volcanic eruptions on the island.

Officials, nonetheless, have asked for help from France, which sent two scientists Wednesday, and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcanic Crisis Team, which was sending five geologists.

On July 19, ash and steam began spewing out of the 3,000-foot Chances Peak, the highest mountain on the 7-by-11-mile Caribbean island.

Geologists have expressed concern about an unusual pattern of minor earthquakes in the volcano and three eruptions on Tuesday.