Government Information Service

The Volcanic Explanation
For The 24 Hour Period Ending 7 AM On Friday April 18, 1997
A Presentation Of The Government Information Services
In Conjunction With The MVO.

The current alert level is ORANGE


The activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano was a little higher yesterday (Thursday). Rockfalls and long-period earthquakes accounted for the seismic activity.

The active area of the dome is now above the Galways Wall. A faint ash plume 97 km north west of the volcano was reported yesterday by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) (Thursday)morning. The winds have caused the ashclouds caused by the rockfalls to deposit light ash in Salem this morning (Friday). Earthquake activity has been low overnight with one hybrid and some long-period earthquakes.

The MVO will try to mount a CCTV camera on the new observation point of the Galways Wall . This will allow the scientists to observe the activity of the rockfalls and pyroclastic flows over the wall.

The GPS survey taken yesterday (Thursday) did not show any significant changes.

Visibility is poor due to low cloud cover over the crater. The western flank can be seen from the observatory due to the south/southwest winds. These winds can carry any ash to the north and people are advised to carry their ash masks with them at all time.

The volcano remains active and dangerous. A dome collapse with extensive pyroclastic flows in the White River is expected within the next week. People should exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant at all times. Ash levels are high and everyone is urged to wear their dust masks in ashy areas.

Government Information Service