Published on 07-Jan-07

Flemmings, Montserrat --- 7 Jan. 2007 --The remains at 4. There have been no major changes in activity levels during the last 48 hours. Ongoing pyroclastic activity has been observed on the NW sector of the volcano with pyroclastic flows in Tyres Ghaut and Gages Valley.

Style of activity unchanged

Flemmings, Montserrat --- 7 Jan. 2007 --The remains at 4. There have been no major changes in activity levels during the last 48 hours.

Ongoing pyroclastic activity has been observed on the NW sector of the volcano with pyroclastic flows in Tyres Ghaut and Gages Valley. Run out distances in Tyres Ghaut have, however, shown signs of increasing, possibly exceeding the previous maximum estimate of 1500 m.

A Pyroclastic flow "boils" into the upper reaches of Tyres Ghaut, on the northwestern side of the Soufriere Hills Volcano. Picture taken at 11:24 (local time) 3 January 2007,

courtesy of Greg Scott of Caribbean Helicopters.

Low level gas and ash venting from a vent on the western side of the dome is ongoing. Fortunately the prevailing wind direction remains E-W and the occupied areas of Montserrat have been largely unaffected by ash fall.

Seismic activity remains relatively low, although there has been a slight increase in the number of events in the last 24 hours. Nevertheless, the style of activity is unchanged and remains dominated by rockfall signals and long period earthquakes, accepted as resulting from either surface or shallow (1-2 km) activity.

Source: mvo.ms