Seismic activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano has been at low level during the past twenty-four hours. Small rockfalls from the lava dome and hybrid earthquakes were the dominant events. Two recent estimates of the dome volume have suggested that the dome maintained the same rate of growth since early May.
Rockfall and hybrid earthquake were at a relatively low level during the reporting period. Nine rockfalls and five hybrid earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network. The largest rockfall occurred at 06:04 on 9 July. This event was relatively short in duration and low in amplitude and therefore was unlikely to have associated ash clouds or ashfall. Long period earthquakes remained low, with only one recorded over the reporting period. A small unlocatable volcano-tectonic earthquake was also recorded. Low-amplitude broadband tremor was recorded from 06:30 this morning and continued through to 16:00 pm this afternoon.
Estimates of the dome volume were prepared for the dates June 9 and June 30. The recent volume estimates have suggested that the rate of growth of the dome has not changed significantly since early May. Most of the growth had taken place in the south-eastern section of the crater,
The upper flanks of the volcano was covered with thick cloud for much of the day. This prevented EDM measurements. The GPS team took the day off to process the large quantity of data that have been collected since last Friday. Some results will be available in the next daily update. The weather was unfavourable for COSPEC measurements to be taken today.
The Soufriere Hills Volcano is still considered to be highly dangerous to people and property on it's eastern and upper western flanks. Visits to the evacuated zone must be kept to a minimum. The Tar River and Long Ground areas to the east and upper Fort Ghaut, Gages Village and Upper Amersham areas to the west are all extremely dangerous. All access roads to these areas remain closed and people should not enter these areas under any circumstances. If they do, they put themselves and others at direct risk of serious injury or death.