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 Soufriére Hills volcano dome satellite image by (c) Google Earth View
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 Montserrat Island by (c) Google Earth View
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Soufrière Hills, Montserrat: volcano news & activity updates
May, 12 2007 - Mar, 10 2009
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009
On 20-27 there was a low activty reported from the lava dome and only some pyroclastic flows were reported.
Thursday, Jan 15, 2009
It was reported that during 2-3 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome increased drastically. On 2 January, a pyroclastic flow traveled down to Tyers Ghaut (NW) and to to the upper part of Belham River. On 3 January two explosions produced ash plumes to high altitudes and ashfall affected most of the island The strong explosions reached to at least 500 m above the dome. In-column collapses resulted in pyroclastic flows. The level of activity decreased dramatically after the second explosion.
Wednesday, Dec 03, 2008
The Montserrat Volcano Observatory reported a stron explosion and a pyroclastic flow on Soufriere Hills on 2nd December at 9:35 pm local time. It is reported that the explosion came without any warning and that there was no precursory seismic activity recorded. The explosion took place probably on the western side of the volcano. No air-fall pumice was reported, but rocks were thrown about 0ne kilometer from the lava dome. The pyroclastic flow travelled down to Gages valley and into Plymouth. It may have reached the sea. The pyroclastic flow generated ash plumes and lightning strikes. The hazard level remains still at 3.
Friday, Nov 21, 2008
During 7-14 November the activity level at the Soufrière Hills lava dome increased slightly, but remained low, and there was no evidence of lava extrusion. Rockfalls were detected by the seismic network.The Hazard Level remained at 3.
Thursday, Oct 23, 2008
MVO reported that during 10-17 October the activity level at the
Soufrière Hills lava dome was low and consisted mainly of mudflows.
Mudflows were particularly numerous during 15-16 October due to the
passage of hurricane Omar to the N. Erosion of the talus slope on the
E side of the lava dome also significantly increased and, as a result,
a large gap in the talus was created that exposed the core of the
dome. During an overflight on 17 October the lava dome was seen
vigorously steaming, and thermal imagery revealed that the hottest
temperatures were associated with the new Gages vent formed in August.
The Hazard Level remained at 3
Sunday, Sep 14, 2008
MVO reported that during 29 August-5 September, data suggested that the W side of the Soufrière Hills lava dome continued to grow. Lahars and rockfalls dominated the activity. Lahars likely descended the Tar River valley on 29 and 31 August. On 1 September, a lahar descended the Belham River valley to the NW; the event lasted approximately 50 minutes. A new vent on the NW part of the lava dome, a little further N of the previous Gages vent, was observed during an overflight on 4 September. The smell of volcanic gases was occasionally noticed when the wind blew N and NE. The Hazard Level remained at 3.
Monday, Aug 25, 2008
Soufrière Hills volcano produces small pyroclastic flows going down the Tar River on the East flank of the lava dome, which continues to grow with lava extrusion on its western part.
Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
A new lava extrusion from Soufrière Hills started from the W side of the lava dome between the 28 July lava-dome collapse event and 8 August, when a new channel of fresh rockfall material was seen below Gages Wall. During 8-15 August, seismicity and the rate of lava extrusion were generally low and sulfur dioxide emissions were elevated. On 14 August the W side of the dome was visible and the explosion crater that was generated on 28 July was almost completely filled with new lava. Lava spilled over the lower and W side of the crater and generated rockfalls below Gages Wall that were observed and heard from St. George's Hill. During 14-15 August, the scent of volcanic gases was noticeable at times in inhabited areas of Montserrat. The Hazard Level was 3.
Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008
After several months of quiet, a major collapse of the lava dome of Soufrière Hills took place on 28 July, 2008.
The collapse started at 11:27 pm local time without any precursory activity. Part of the western side of the lava dome collapsed generating pyroclastic flows that reached Plymouth and the sea.
There were also a few explosions from the dome during the collapse, with
the largest at approximately 11:32 pm. The height of the ash column was estimated at 12 kilometres (40,000 feet) above sea level.
Thursday, Feb 21, 2008
During 13-19 February the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed very little. Seismic activity was very low and low-level rockfall activity continued. Fumarolic activity on the N and E flanks continued. Active fumaroles were also noted in the Galway's area to the S of the dome.
Heavy rainfall triggered lahars in multiple drainages. The Alert Level remained elevated at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).
Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
The lava dome at Soufrière Hills has changed very little, based on visual observations on 23 January. Seismic activity was very low and low-level rockfall activity continued. Fumarolic activity on the N and E flanks also continued, along with active fumaroles in the Galway's area to the S of the dome and W in the Gages Wall area. ( Alert Level remained elevated at 4).
Saturday, Nov 03, 2007
During 24-30 October the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed very little. Seismic activity was very low and low-level rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity continued. During 25-26 October, vigorous lahar activity was noted, especially to the E, including the Tar River valley. Ashfall was visible over N Montserrat, possibly due to rockfall activity and steam venting. On 30 October a small pyroclastic flow was observed in the Tar River valley. The Alert Level remained elevated at 4.
Monday, Oct 29, 2007
MVO reported that during 17-23 October the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed very little, based on visual observations. Seismic activity was very low and low-level rockfall activity continued. On 12 October, a small pyroclastic flow descended about 2 km E down the Tar River valley. A resultant ash plume drifted W. On 23 October, lahars descended down drainages on all sides of the volcano. The Alert Level remained elevated at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).
Thursday, Sep 27, 2007
Montserrat Volcano Observatory reported that during 19-25 September the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed only very little. Seismic activity was very low and low-level rockfall activity continued.
Friday, Aug 31, 2007
MVO reported that during 21-28 August the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed very little, based on visual observations. Seismic activity was very low and low-level rockfall activity continued. On 23 August, heavy rainfall triggered small rockfalls and four pyroclastic flows to the E down the Tar River Valley. Ash and steam emissions from the dome produced a plume that drifted W. A lahar occurred in the Belham river valley to the NW. The Alert Level remained elevated at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).
Thursday, Jul 26, 2007
MVO reported that during 13-24 July, the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed very little, based on visual observations. Seismic activity was very low and low-level rockfall activity continued. Heavy rainfall generated lahars in E drainages on 19 July. The Alert Level remained elevated at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).
Saturday, Jun 23, 2007
MVO reported that during 8-18 June the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed very little based on visual observations, and seismic activity was very low. Low-level rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity continued. The Alert Levelremained at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).
Thursday, Jun 07, 2007
MVO reported that during 25 May-1 June the lava dome at Soufrière Hills changed very little based on visual observations and seismic activity was very low. Low-level rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity continued. On 31 May, pyroclastic flows traveled approximately 1 km E in the Tar River Valley. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Based on visual observations, MVO reported that during 11-21 May lava-domegrowth at Soufrière Hills likely ceased and the overall structure of the dome changed very little. Low-level rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity continued. Seismic activity was very low. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).
Saturday, May 12, 2007
During 27 April-8 May, visual observations suggested that lava-dome growth at Soufrière Hills continued at a reduced rate or ceased.
Fresh deposits were evident at the head of Tyres Ghaut to the NW, the upper parts of Farrell's Plain and Tuitt's Ghaut to the N, and the upper parts of the Tar River Valley to the E. Pyroclastic activity was ongoing on the E and NE sides of the dome during 27 April-4 May and pyroclastic flows were observed in the Tar River Valley and on Farrell's plain, into Tuitt's Ghaut.
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