Published on 13-Oct-09

Oct. 13, 2009 -- Following a lull in pyroclastic flows and rockfalls at Soufriere Hills volcano overnight, activity increased once again on the afternoon of October 13.

Small collapse of lava dome

Oct. 13, 2009 -- Following a lull in pyroclastic flows and rockfalls at Soufriere Hills volcano overnight, activity increased once again on the afternoon of October 13. Seismicity related to small pyroclastic flows moving down the north west face of the lava dome gradually increased from about 11:30 am until 2:38pm, when the largest event since activity resumed on October 4 took place with a small collapse of the lava dome.

The pyroclastic flows reached only a little further than those of the last few days, probably just greater than 2 km and these flows produced intense, dark brown ash clouds that rose to around 20,000 ft. The dark, distinctive colour of the ash clouds together with the sluggish nature of the flows produced indicate that this event was probably related to collapse of an old portion of the lava dome.

Following the event smaller rockfalls and pyroclastic flows are continuing at a reduced rate.

MVO 5:00pm October 13, 2009