The eruptive phenomena decreased progressively and disappeared in the first semester of 1852. However the conclusions of the scientific committee reveal a complete lack of understanding of the real nature of mount Pelée. They partly explain the reactions which led to the drama in 1902.

We can ascertain :
That the eruption of August 5th was a local event limited to the ravine of Claire river, and whose effects can be observed in an area of 800 to 900 yards maximum.

 

(…)

That the ashes or muds are the only matters rejected by the volcano. That we didn't find any lava, or the smallest rock related to this eruption. That the geological constitution of mount Pelée, made quickly in a short time and with limited knowledge, didn't reveal any lava flow. (…) Lava usually exist around volcanoes which vomit fire.

 

(…)
That the geological constitution of mount Pelée suggests that the previous eruptions (at least two craters of the past eruptions are known, the Etang sec and the present lake) were probably of the same nature as the one on August 5th. Evidence shows that this volcano should be classified among the mud volcanoes and not among the fire volcanoes.

 

(…)
That mount Pelée extensively examined did not present any crack, landslide, or movement of water, therefore the effects of the August 5th eruption were very limited.

That the city of St. Pierre and the village of Prêcheur, located respectively more than 6 and 4 miles from the mountain, do not seem to fear eruptions even more important that the present one. Nothing on the ground where they are built shows major changes. We should consider something far more different and important than what occurred, to reach the estate Ruffin and the estate Eynard, the closest estates from the active vents.
That the matters ejected by the vents did not reach more than one meter in thickness. That the configuration of the area and the erosion of the ravine of Blanche river created a natural path for the mud to flow to the sea. Therefore the farmers who fled during the first panic caused by the eruption, have come back to their estates and can work as usual, not paying attention to the detonations which happen from time to time, or to the persisting smell of hydrogen sulfide.

(…)
To sum up, mount Pelée volcano appears to be no more than another curiosity to be added to the natural history of our Martinique. A curiosity that visitors would like to see, and through the industry of the local inhabitants could be a source of health and wealth. On quiet weather, ships coming from France and spotting from far the undulating long plume of white smoke rising straight in the sky, must consider it as a picturesque decoration for the island and a complement to the majesty of our old mount Pelée.

(*Personal translation from French)


This understanding of the volcano in 1852 will have dramatic consequences 50 years later, for these conclusions will comfort the inhabitants of St. Pierre and the Northern region into a false feeling of safety.