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The Volcanic Explanation
For The 24 Hour Period Ending 7 AM On Sunday January 26, 1997
A Presentation Of The Government Information Services
In Conjunction With The MVO.


The activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano has once again been at a reduced level with the main seismic activity being volcano-tectonic earthquakes (VT's).

In the last 24 hours there have been two swarms of VT's the last one finishing at about 4 am this morning (Sunday) and they were quite large. VT's usually signify that magma is trying to reach the surface from shallow depths below the volcano's crater.

Yesterday morning there was a strong regional earthquake which occurred north east of Antigua and recorded at about 5 on the Richter scale.

The COSPEC measurements made on Friday showed that the gas levels are at about 590 tonnes per day, this is much lower than the last measurement taken but still a bit higher than usual.

This morning the dome is clearer than it has been for a few days and a helicopter survey of the dome has been underway since first light. It is hoped that this survey will show how much lava has come to the surface over the last few days.

Scientists believe that most of the activity has been on the south east side of the crater and that there is a danger that collapses could occur at any time.

The alert level remains at ORANGE and the W.H. Bramble Airport remains open as normal this morning.

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