Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Report
Report for the period 16:00 9 December
to 07:00 10 December 1996
The current alert level is ORANGE


The level of seismic activity has been high during this period, with the latest swarm of volcano-tectonic earthquakes continuing. At times, the rate of earthquakes approached the highest levels of the previous swarm, and the largest earthquakes have been larger than any in the previous swarm. The rate has dropped slightly during the last few hours. A total of 143 earthquakes were recorded overnight. The Galway's Wall continues to collapse, with 4 landslides recorded by the seismic network. There was also one rockfall from the dome.

The situation at the volcano is extremely serious, and the scientists fear that we may be moving towards an explosive eruption. If the Galway's Wall collapses, there is a serious risk of a lateral blast that could cause pyroclastic flows in any direction around the volcano. Such an event could occur at any time with no warning. The revised risk map is still in operation, and zone A/B is extremely dangerous. We urge that nobody should be in this area today.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory