Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Report
Report for the period 4 pm 12 June
to 7 am 13 June 1997
The current alert level is ORANGE


The level of rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity reached a peak at about 4pm yesterday afternoon and then declined steadily back to the lower level. The level of rockfall activity began to increase again at about 5am this morning and there have been several substantial rockfalls since then.

Seismic activity has been low overnight with only a few small long period events.

The volcano is again covered by low cloud today so the dome and any rockfall activity is not visible.

Further pyroclastic flows are expected, and it is 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, 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, and a checkpoint is in place to ensure that only bona fide travellers and those with essential business can visit the airport.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory