MVO reported that during 9-16 April activity at Soufrière Hills remained low. Several rockfalls occurred on the W side of the lava dome on 15 April, and a small pyroclastic flow occurred on the Gages fan on 16 April; both were probably caused by heavy rainfall. The rain also generated lahars (mudflows) on several flanks.
MVO reported that during 2-9 April activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. Rockfalls occurred sporadically from several areas of the lava dome. Multiple small areas of incandescence on the dome were visible several nights during the reporting period.
MVO reported that during 26 March-2 April activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. Rockfalls and pyroclastic flows occurred sporadically on the W and S flanks. The Hazard Level remained at 3.
MVO reported that during 19-26 March activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. Small-to-moderate-sized pyroclastic flows on the W and S flanks occurred sporadically. The largest pyroclastic flow traveled 2 km W down Spring Ghaut on 25 March. The Hazard Level remained at 3.
MVO reported that during 12-19 March activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. Small incandescent areas on the dome were visually observed on 14 March. Occasional small pyroclastic flows and rockfalls occurred from the W and S parts of the dome.
MVO reported that heavy rains during 5-12 March caused vigorous steaming from hot deposits emplaced after part of the Soufrière Hills lava dome collapsed on 11 February. Geysers were visible at Trants near the old Bramble airport, about 5 km NE, along with ash and steam ejections. Lahars descended multiple drainages around the volcano.
MVO reported that during 26 February-5 March activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. A swarm of seven relatively large hybrid earthquakes was detected early on 4 March. Later that morning, two small pyroclastic flows descended the Tar River valley and caused ashfall in Salem and Olveston, 6-8 km NW.
According to a local observer, the possibly first pyroclastic flow from Soufrière Hills since 11 Feb was observed on 1 March 2010. The lava dome was reported glowing bright at night.
Sat, 27 Feb 2010, 16:05
Satellite images showing actual changes in deposited material, marked by grey areas (Graphic: MVO, images courtesy of NASA)
NSAS and MVO published a comparision of two satellite images taken on 17 Mar 2007 and a recent one from 21 Feb 2010. The dramatic changes to the landscape including the extension of the eastern coastline near the former Bramble airport are spectacular.
Read allWed, 24 Feb 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 19-26 February activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. A few rockfalls originated from the inner walls of the collapse scar on the N flank, formed during the 11 February event. Small areas of incandescence on the dome were noted.
Read allMon, 22 Feb 2010, 23:47
Since the major dome collapse on February 11, very little activity has been observed at the lava dome of Soufrière Hills volcano.
Wed, 17 Feb 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 12-19 February activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. Rockfalls originated from the inner walls of the 300-m-wide collapse scar on the N flank, formed from the 11 February event, and from the dome summit. Gas measurements on 17 February and seismicity were consistent with lava-dome growth, but growth was unconfirmed.
Read allFri, 12 Feb 2010, 13:08
A partial dome collapse occurred at Montserrat's Soufrière Hills volcano on Feb 11 at around 1 pm local time. Large pyroclastic flows travelled to the NE and reached the sea. A column of ash rose to at least 12 km.
Read allWed, 10 Feb 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 5-12 February activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome increased significantly. Activity was concentrated on the W side of the lava dome during the first part of the week then shifted to the N side on 9 February.
Read allWed, 3 Feb 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 29 January-5 February activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was variable as the lava dome continued to grow. Cycles of vigorous ash venting, rockfalls, and pyroclastic flows occurred every seven to twelve hours. Pyroclastic flows traveled mostly W down Gages into Spring Ghaut, as far as 3 km, but also occurred in Whites Ghaut to the NE.
Read allWed, 27 Jan 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 22-29 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was variable as the lava dome continued to grow. Cycles of vigorous ash venting, rockfalls, and pyroclastic flows occurred every five to seven hours. Pyroclastic flows traveled down multiple valleys, including Whites Ghaut to the NE, and W down Gages into Spring Ghaut.
Read allThu, 21 Jan 2010, 10:34
MVO reported that during 8-15 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome increased significantly. One explosion on 8 January and two on 10 January generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 5.5-7.6 km (18,000-25,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash fell in occupied areas to the NW, along with lapilli fall on 10 January. The explosions occurred from an area on the NE side of the volcano. Pyroclastic flows from column collapses moved rapidly NE (down Whites Bottom and Tuitts Ghaut), NW (down Tyers Ghaut and Belham Valley), W (down Gages Ghaut), and the SE (down the Tar River Valley). After the explosions activity decreased until 12 January, when cycles of increased numbers of rockfalls, pyroclastic flows, and ash venting were noted.
Read allWed, 20 Jan 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 15-22 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was variable as dome growth continued. Cycles of vigorous ash venting, rockfalls, and pyroclastic flows occurred every six to eight hours. Light ashfall occasionally occurred in NW Montserrat.
Read allWed, 13 Jan 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 8-15 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome increased significantly. One explosion on 8 January and two on 10 January generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 5.5-7.6 km (18,000-25,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash fell in occupied areas to the NW, along with lapilli fall on 10 January.
Read allWed, 6 Jan 2010, 06:00
MVO reported that during 31 December-8 January pyroclastic flows from the Soufrière Hills lava dome continued to travel predominantly down areas to the N including Whites Ghaut (NE), Farrells plain (N), and Tyers Ghaut (NW). Observations on 2 January showed that a 40-m-high, 150-m-wide lobe of lava had been extruded northwards onto the N summit of the dome. This lobe was the main source of rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity.
Read all