Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Daily Report
Report for the period 16:00 on 2 March 1996
to 16:00 on 3 March 1996


Seismic activity during the period under review included a number of small rock fall events recorded on the Gages and Chances Peak seismometers. Two long-period events were recorded; instrumental locations for these events could not be calculated due to their small magnitude. A small volcano-tectonic earthquake with a location beneath the crater area at a depth of 2 km was recorded late on 2 March. Broadband tremor was present intermittently and at a very low amplitude for all of the period until about 15:10 today, when a period of continuous, moderate amplitude tremor began. A regional earthquake located about 150 km from Montserrat and with an estimated magnitude of 4 was recorded just after 11:00 this morning, 3 March and a teleseismic signal was recorded at 12:43, representing a large earthquake somewhere in the world.

EDM measurements were made today on the triangle between Dagenham, Amersham and the Gages Wall. The results show changes of a few millimetres on the lines to the Gages Wall since the last occupation several days ago, consistent with the long-term trend for these lines.

Visual observations were made from the helicopter in the late afternoon. A new spine was noted in the southern part of the dome which has grown up over the past two days. The central part of the dome appears also to be growing vertically. Copious steam and gas production continued for most of the day.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory