Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat, West Indies (UK): news & activity updates

During 4-11 October, volcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills remained at moderate levels. The NW extrusion lobe of the lava dome continued to grow steadily; early in the report period it grew to the NW, but later growth was more centralized. There was a noticeable bulking up of the summit area of the lobe. Read allVolcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills increased significantly during 26 September to 4 October following the previous week's major switch in lava-dome extrusion direction. On the 27th a 4-hour-period of heightened activity occurred in the afternoon and evening, with small semi-continuous pyroclastic flows traveling down the N flanks and eastwards into the upper portions of Tuitts Ghaut and then into Whites Bottom Ghaut. A newly extruded lobe was visible on the 28th almost directly to the NW with a broad headwall over the N, NW, and W flanks. Read all During 20-27 September, activity at Soufrière Hills'dome complex increased in comparison to the previous week, with a major change in direction of extrusion following a hybrid earthquake swarm the previous week. Growth of the previously active NE lobe stagnated during the 21st to 22nd. A near vertical spine was extruded in the central area around the 21st, possibly indicating a switch in growth direction. Read allDuring 13-20 September, activity at Soufrière Hills increased in comparison to the previous week. Lava-dome growth was directed to the NE, with frequent rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows sending material to a sector extending from the central Tar Valley on the E flank to the NE flanks above Tuitt's Ghaut. Some material tumbled down a notch onto the northern flank. Read all During 6-13 September, activity at Soufrière Hills remained at moderate levels. Growth on the lava-dome complex remained centralized on the E flank, with frequent rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows. At the beginning of the week most of these spilled eastward along the N side of the Tar River Valley, but later in the week activity appeared to refocus northward onto Tuitt's Ghaut. Read allVolcanic and seismic activity remained at moderate levels at Soufrière Hills during 30 August-6 September, although there was an increase in activity in comparison to the previous week. Lava-dome growth continued to be focussed on the N side of the dome complex although it became more centralized. The summit height exceeded 1,050 m. Read all During 23-30 August, volcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills remained at moderate levels. Small pyroclastic flows traveled mainly down the NE flank where they were channeled into the upper portions of Tuitt's Ghaut, although some spilled eastwards along the northern side of the Tar River Valley. Talus also continued to accumulate in the notch in the NW sector of the old lava dome, which leads towards Tyre's Ghaut. Read allVolcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills were at moderate levels during 16-23 August. Lava-dome growth continued to be focused on the N side of the dome complex and rockfall talus continued to accumulate to the N in the upper reaches of Tuitt's Ghaut. In addition, there were overspills of talus from the northern side of the Tar River Valley into the two tributaries of White's Ghaut. Read all Volcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills remained at high levels during 9-16 August. Lava-dome growth remained focused on the N side of the dome complex. Rockfall talus accumulated in the upper portions of Tuitt's Ghaut, and small pyroclastic flows occurred to the N in both Tuitt's and White's ghauts. Read allDuring 2-9 August, activity at Soufrière Hills continued at a high level. Lava-dome growth remained focussed on the N side of the dome complex, with the development of a massive curved lobe of lava. During the early part of the week, the lobe repeatedly crumbled, producing rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows that reached the upper portion of Tuitt's Ghaut. Read all