1.   Instead of snow, ash blanketed the ground.

2.   Ash blanketed the streets and sidewalks like snowfall.

3.   Carried by brisk trade winds, the gray ash has blanketed lush green mountain slopes.

4.   Gray ash blanketed the capital of this Caribbean island Wednesday, closing schools and forcing residents to wear face masks as the Soufriere Hills volcano rumbled to life again.

5.   Towns and farmland downwind to the north have been blanketed by ash.

6.   Towns and farmland downwind to the north have been blanketed by ash, although not as thickly as Monday when the volcano first burst into life.

7.   Towns and farmland downwind to the north have also been blanketed by ash.

8.   Wind-borne ash blanketed Plymouth, the capital, closing schools and forcing residents to wear face masks as the Soufriere Hills volcano rumbled to life again.

9.   Wind-borne ash blanketed Plymouth, the capital, closing schools and prompting residents to wear face masks as the Soufriere Hills volcano rumbled to life again.