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

According to the Washington VAAC, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory reported a pyroclastic flow from Soufrière Hills on 13 July that reached the sea and produced an ash plume to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. Read allThe Montserrat Volcano Observatory estimated that the Soufrière Hills lava dome volume was 27 million cubic meters on 27 June, prior to the 30 June partial lava-dome collapse, which means the growth rate during the month of June averaged about 8 cubic meters per second. On 7 July, the Alert Level was lowered to 3 (on a scale of 0-5). Read all

Soufrière Hills volcano on Montserrat remains very active. As MVO reports, the dome continues to grow at a high rate, with pyroclastic flow activity on the eastern section of the dome. A distinct lobe on the north-west side of the dome is believed to have grown during the last week.

Read allDue to increased seismic activity at Soufrière Hills during approximately 24-29 June, the Alert Level was raised to 4 (on a scale of 0-5). On 30 June around 1300, the lava dome partially collapsed and produced pyroclastic flows to the E. According to the Washington VAAC, a pilot reported that an ash plume reached an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. Read all During 16-23 June, only brief observations of the Soufrière Hills lava dome were possible due to inclement weather. The lava dome filled the base of the crater, which suggested a high rate of growth. On 17 June, lahars reached the Belham and other valleys on the lower flanks. Read allDuring 9-16 June, the Soufrière Hills lava dome continued to grow, but at a slower rate than during the 2-9 June reporting period. Vigorous ash-and-gas venting occurred from a vent to the N of the lava dome. Read all During 2-9 June, the Soufrière Hills lava dome continued to grow at a high rate of 10 cubic meters per second on average (average growth rate during January-April was 6 cubic meters per second). Vigorous ash-and-gas venting occurred from a vent to the W of the lava dome. According to a pilot report and MVO, the Washington VAAC reported on 9 June that a steam plume with little ash content reached an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. Read allDuring 26 May to 2 June, the Soufrière Hills lava dome continued to grow at a high rate of 10 cubic meters per second (average growth rate during January-April was 6 cubic meters per second). Numerous rockfalls and vigorous ash venting occurred from a vent to the W of the lava dome. A pilot reported that a small ash plume extended NW on 31 May. Read all During 24-30 May, lava-dome growth continued at Soufrière Hills. On 23 May, the new lava dome was observed for the first time since the 20 May dome collapse. The new lava dome was darker than the previous lava dome and on 25 May, reached a height of 767 m. Read all

At about 11 am local time of May 20, 2006, a large dome collapse accompanied by a large explosion occurred at Soufrière Hills volcano, producing an ash column of more than 50,000 ft height (about 18 km). The plume is drifting SW and caused planes to divert their route. Pyroclastic flows down the tar river valley reaching the sea. Flows have also broken out of the former crater to the east and have been seen down to Spanish point and Truants. Ash has been falling in Salem, Olde Town and Olveston.

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