Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Daily Report
Report for the period 6 pm 30 November
to 6 pm 1 December 1997


Volcanic activity has remained at a low level. Ash and steam venting have continued unabated. Seismicity was dominated by rockfall signals. Visibility of the mountain has been restricted and no observations of the dome have been possible.

Between 16:00 yesterday and 16:00 today there were 16 long-period earthquakes, 57 rockfall signals and 4 hybrid earthquakes. Five rockfall events appeared to have been triggered by long-period events.

Brief views of the dome were obtained today from Jack Boy Hill, but the northern flanks were very quiet with little activity except for steaming from fumaroles. The dome appears to be growing slowly, and pyroclastic flows could occur down any of the ghauts around the volcano with little warning.

Dust levels in St. Johns, St. Peters and Woodlands today were low.

Dr Willy Aspinall and Prof. Barry Voight left the island today to go to the scientific summit meeting in Antigua over the next four days. Fourteen senior scientists who have worked on Montserrat are meeting to discuss the possible future scenarios for the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory