Montserrat Volcano Observatory


Morning Report
Report for the period 16:00 29 December
to 07:00 30 December 1996
The current alert level is ORANGE


Seismic activity remains at a high level and the style of the activity has changed again. The episodes of continuous seismic tremor have returned , although the size of the signals is lower than before. The interval between episodes is about ten hours at present. Swarms of large hybrid events are also being recorded, but these do not appear to be associated with the tremor. Numerous rockfall signals are also being recorded by the network, indicating continued dome growth within English's Crater.

Cloud is covering the volcano this morning and no observations have yet been possible.

If dome growth continues at the present rate, there will be significant collapses from the dome and generation of pyroclastic flows, mainly confined within the Tar River Valley. There is also still the risk of a sudden collapse of the Galway's Wall. All residents of Montserrat must remain vigilant in case the volcanic situation changes rapidly.


Montserrat Volcano Observatory