Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Report
Report for the period 4 pm 8 June
to 7 am 9 June 1997
The current alert level is ORANGE


There have been two periods of enhanced rockfall activity during the period from 4pm yesterday to 7am today, 9 June. The first was moderate and took place during the early evening, the second was more active and peaked at about 4am this morning. These rockfalls occurred over a wide sector of the dome from the south-east to the northern flanks, some entering the top of Tuitt's Ghaut, others travelling about 1 km distance down the Tar River valley.

There have also been a number of long-period seismic events overnight.

The volcano is cloudy this morning. The MVO observer at the airport reports that the cloud is low on that side of the volcano, and that the dome and the top part of Tuitt's Ghaut cannot be seen.

Following the significant pyroclastic flows in Tuitt's Ghaut which reached to within 150 yards of Bramble village on Thursday, it is probable that similar activity will be repeated in the near future, and possible that the hot pyroclastic flows and surges could travel even further. The flows move extremely fast and cannot be outrun. The revised zones A and B, which include Tuitt's, Bramble village, Bethel, Spanish Point, Farms, Harris and Trants, are extremely dangerous and the authorities and MVO strongly advise that nobody should go into this area at all. The public are reminded that while Bramble Airport remains operational for the time being, it is open only for essential travel purposes - people not travelling should not visit the airport, and parents in particular are urged not to take their children to the airport just for the outing.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory