Activity at the volcano continues at a slightly reduced level. Seismicity is dominated by rockfall signal. The largest signal occurred at 5.02 pm to 5.34 pm yesterday afternoon and appears to have been a small pyroclastic flow. Seismicity apart from rockfalls is at a low level. Over the last 24 hours 4 hybrid earthquakes, 3 long period earthquakes and 64 rockfalls triggered the short period network. The intermittent rock fall activity generates minor ash plumes above the volcano. There have no major ash emissions today. Although at a low level an underlying pattern of approximately 12 hour cycles of enhanced activity can still be detected. The peak of the cycles are now observed as modest periods of enhanced rock fall activity or ash emissions.
Further explosions are possible and these may be more intense and longer lived than those already experienced. If explosions do occur, the central zone should be evacuated immediately, and people in the northern zone should seek shelter under a strong roof as soon as possible. After an explosive event, small rocks and ash can be expected to fall anywhere on the island. Ash and falling rocks can make driving hazardous. Ash is present in the atmosphere and dust masks should be worn outdoors.
All ghauts on the volcano are now filled with hot pyroclastic flow deposits. The enhanced pyroclastic flow activity indicates increasingly instability of the dome and further pyroclastic flow activity is anticipated. This makes all of the exclusion zone extremely dangerous. Pyroclastic flows could reach into the Belham river valley. Access to the exclusion zone is completely restricted, and people should stay away from the flanks of the volcano. People should remain vigilant and continue to listen to Radio Montserrat for any announcements.