Government Information Service

The Volcanic Explanation
For The 48 Hour Period Ending 7 AM On Sunday April 20, 1997
A Presentation Of The Government Information Services
In Conjunction With The MVO.

The current alert level is ORANGE


Over the last 48 hours, the activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano has been at a low level, however in the last few hours there has been an increase in activity.

The seismic records have been dominated by small to moderate sized rockfalls and pyroclastic flow signals. This is a result of material falling from the active part of the dome above Galways Wall and then flowing into the White River Valley which runs to the sea at O'Garro's. The largest of the events in the last 48 hours occurred at around 6.30 pm on Saturday evening.

Very early this morning (Sunday) there were two regional tectonic earthquakes recorded by the seismic system, these were somewhere to the northeast of Montserrat.

Ash produced over the reporting period has been dropping in the safe zones because the winds are blowing from the south east, levels of ash in Plymouth and its environs is at very high levels and everyone entering these areas are asked to wear their dust masks.

On Saturday the dome was quite visible and was seen to be steaming vigorously, however today the dome is under cloud but it is hoped that this will clear as the day progresses.

The alert level remains at ORANGE and it is expected that there will be more pyroclastic flow activity in the White River Valley and the Tar River Valley within the next few days. Everyone is asked to remain vigilant and stay tuned to ZJB Radio for updates (880 Metres AM on the Medium Wave band).

Government Information Service