Government Information Service

The Volcanic Explanation
For The 24 Hour Period Ending 7 AM On Monday June 09, 1997
A Presentation Of The Government Information Services
In Conjunction With The MVO.

The current alert level is ORANGE


There will be a break in the Volcanic Explanations. I'm going to the States to visit my family and the other computer is undergoing an upgrade. The Explanations will resume on July 1st

There were peaks of pyroclastic flows from 8 am to 12 noon yesterday (Sunday). During this period small pyroclastic flows occurred on the dome from the south-east to the northern slopes. Most of the pyroclastic flows were in the Tar River Valley with a some in Tuitts Ghaut and the top of Mosquito Ghaut. Falling and bouncing boulders preceded some of the pyroclastic flows and they could be seen and heard from several kilometers away.

With the lifting of the cloud cover, measurements and observations of the dome were possible from Windy Hill, Harris, White and the airport. Several solid slabs of lava have been extruded in the north-easterly direction. The northern and eastern slopes of the dome are smooth. Tuitt's Ghaut has lots of material in the top of the ghaut and the notch at the top has been filled in. There has been some increase in the number of long-period and hybrid earthquakes over the past few days.

About half of the 17 small hybrid earthquakes and 23 long period earthquakes triggered rockfalls from the dome.

No COSPEC measurements were taken today. The results from the measurements over the past few days are between 500 to 600 tonnes of sulphur dioxide flux. This is an indication that the volcano is an active state.

New EDM reflectors were installed on Chances Peak. Successful measurements were made yesterday afternoon. The rate of movement on the cracks on Chances Peak is about the same as the measurements of 4 days ago.

It is possible that significant pyroclastic flows could occur without warning in Tuitt's Ghaut and travel even further. No one should enter Zones A and B which now include Tuitt's, Bramble Village, Bethel, Spanish Pointe, Farms, Harris and Trants they are extremely dangerous. Bramble airport is open for travel purpose and people not traveling should not visit the airport.

Government Information Service