Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Report
Report for the period 16:00 18 December
to 07:00 19 December 1996
The current alert level is ORANGE


The volcanic activity remained at a moderate level during the night. Rockfall activity from the new dome continued and twelve rockfall signals were detected by the seismic network. Two long-period earthquakes were also detected.

Visibility is excellent this morning. Inspections of the dome and Galway's Wall are already being made from the helicopter.

The dangers from the volcano are still extremely high. The deformation of Galway's Wall has slowed, but the wall remains very unstable and could collapse at any time. Such a collapse might have very serious consequences for zone A/B. Pyroclastic flows to the east will become more likely as the new dome grows. The revised risk map is still in operation. Nobody should be in zone A/B. Visits to zone C/D must be kept to a minimum. Zone E remains safe at this time.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory