Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Report
Report for the period 16:00 23 January
to 07:00 24 January 1997
The current alert level is ORANGE


The style and level of volcanic activity overnight remained consistent with the pattern developed within the last two days. There have been two swarms of volcano-tectonic earthquakes. The first swarm started at 4:54 pm and lasted for about two hours, with 17 earthquakes recorded. The second swarm started at 3:00 am, and came to an end just after 5:00 am this morning. This swarm was slightly larger that the previous one. Rockfall activity continued at a low level throughout the reporting and there was also a flash flood signal from the Fort Ghaut area

The volcano has been cloudy all afternoon yesterday and still remains so this morning. No observations have been possible. The deduction based on the seismic records and the last observations is that dome growth is still occurring within or near the scar caused by the dome collapse on Monday evening. Also, there may be some low level rockfall activity on the north-eastern sector of the dome. It is expected that further collapses will occur in the next few days.

Residents are therefore urged to be alert at all times. At the moment zone E, which includes Corkhill and the airport, remains safe. The Tar River area is extremely dangerous, and should not be entered in any circumstances.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory