Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Report
Report for the period 16:00 27 March
to 07:00 28 March 1997
The current alert level is AMBER


The volcanic activity has been low overnight. Seismic activity has been characterised by the occasional rockfall and a few earthquakes. Five volcano-tectonic earthquakes have been recorded by the seismic network over night. A period of intermittent low amplitude tremor on the Gages seismometer began around 10:00pm last night but died away just after 2:00 am this morning.

Cloud is currently obscuring the upper part of the dome. The airport control tower report that there are no changes to the lower half of the dome complex, this being the only part which is currently visible.

Despite the apparent low level of activity, the volcano remains dangerous. The lava dome continues to grow at the summit area, and is now almost as high as the previous maximum height achieved in July 1996. There are several areas on the dome which are becoming more unstable, and pyroclastic flows are possible with little warning. Explosive activity similar to the September 17 event, and maybe slightly larger, is possible. Only essential visits should be made to zone C and people should remain alert, listen to Radio Montserrat and be ready to leave at short notice.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory