Please Note: The Next "Volcanic Explanation" Will Be Issued On Tuesday April 1, 1997 at 8 am. Happy Easter To All.
The activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano has increased a little over the last 24 hours. The seismic activity increased with over 75 events recorded in the reporting period. These were mainly volcano-tectonic, long period and hybrid earthquakes and late last night (Thursday) there was a period of intermitten low tremor recorded on the Gages seismometer.
During the 24 hour period there was also over three dozen rockfall signals mainly from the southern face of the dome above Galways Wall, some of these led to small pyroclastic flows which resulted in some small ash clouds.
The south-west corner of the dome is dominated by by a large tilted block over 20 metres across, this is sited immediately above the Galways Wall.
Some GPS and EDM measurements were taken on Thursday and these results will be announced later in the week.
Early this morning (Good Friday) there is a large amount of cloud cover on the dome so scientists can see very little. However, the dome is very big (the largest it has ever been) and could collapse at any time. The Tar River Valley and Upper Galways area are very dangerous and should not be entered at any time.
Residents are urged to wear ash masks in ashy areas and to remain vigilant at all times.
Government Information Service