Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Update
0700H 29 May, 1996


Volcanic activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano has been dominated overnight by seismic signals associated with rockfalls and by low-amplitude broadband tremor. Except for the period 20:00 to 22:30 on 28 May when there was a slight increase in the rate and amplitude of these events, rockfall signals have continued throughout the night at about the same moderate level as yesterday. A rockfall signal at 06:18 on 29 May was correlated with an ash plume which attained a height of 3500 ft above sea level and a small pyroclastic flow into the upper Tar River valley. Low-amplitude broadband tremor has generally been intermittent but there were discrete periods from 20:00 on 28 May to 04:40 on 29 May when tremor was continuous. A few long period events were also recorded overnight.

Conditions at volcano were again clear during the early morning with good views being obtained of the summit. Visual observations from the Observatory and Bramble Airport indicate that vigorous steaming continues from the top central parts of the dome.

The MVO still views the situation at the Soufriere Hills Volcano with grave concern and the scientists continue to urge that visits to the evacuated zone be kept to a minimum. The Tar River, Long Ground and Whites areas are extremely dangerous, and should not be entered under any circumstances.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory