Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Update
Report for the period 16:00 26 October
to 07:00 27 October 1996


The level of activity at the volcano has decreased overnight, with the swarm of volcano-tectonic earthquakes finishing at about 21:20. There were 83 earthquakes in the swarm, all of which were located at very shallow depths beneath the volcano. Since the swarm ended, the volcano has been quiet, with only a few rockfalls recorded.

A twenty-minute long flash flood was recorded by the Gages seismic station at 16:55 yesterday.

The volcano is very cloudy this morning, and so no views of the crater have been possible.

The volcano remains in a highly dangerous condition. The October 1 dome continues to grow at a high rate, and further pyroclastic flows are likely. All residents of Montserrat are urged to exercise caution while visiting the evacuated zone and to become familiar with the new alert system and evacuation procedures. The Tar River and Long Ground areas are extremely dangerous, and people entering these areas face a high risk of death.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory