Rockfall activity continued overnight and is still at a relatively high level. There have been two short swarms of shallow VT earthquakes, the first between about 6 pm and 8 pm last night and the second starting at about 4 am this morning. The data have not yet been fully processed, but the signals look identical to those from the shallow VT swarms that dominated the seismic records during November and early December. These VT earthquakes have not been seen since December 21, when growth of the October 1 dome resumed. The shallow VT earthquakes may herald a change in the active area of dome growth, but it is too soon to tell.
Visibility is poor this morning, with the crater area covered by clouds.
Areas outside of the Tar River valley are not currently threatened by the continued growth of the October 1 dome, although anywhere downwind of the volcano will be affected by light ashfall. A rapid escalation in activity is possible and could have serious consequences for much of the evacuated areas. Everyone should remain vigilant and follow the alert procedures. There is no access to zone A/B and only limited access to zone C/D.