Aug 31 2007
Soufrière Hills Daily and Weekly Update
The currnet Soufrière Hills status from MVO:
The alert level remains at 4.
Measurable activity has remained low with no significant change over the last 24 hours.
The current weekly update for Soufrière Hills:
Summary report for the period midday 24 August to midday 31 August 2007
Activity during the reporting period of the Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV) was low. The dome was visible occasionally on 25 and 26 August and no changes were noted in its morphology with the pause of lava extrusion continuing.
Recorded seismic activity remained very low throughout the period. The seismic network recorded just 17 rockfalls, 13 volcano-tectonic earthquakes and one (1) long period event.
The sulphur dioxide (SO2) flux rate ranged from a maximum of 1447 tonnes per day (t/d) to a minimum of 319 t/d during the reporting period. The average flux rate for the period stood at 740 t/d which is higher than the long-term average which remains around 550 t/d. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) measurements of hydrogen chloride to sulphur dioxide ratios were possible on two days during the reporting period, they were 0.41 on 27 August and 0.39 on 28 August.
Baseline calculations between GPS stations were not possible due to lack of access to South Soufrière Hill.
The alert level remained at 4.
Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune into ZJB Radio 88.3 or 95.5 FM for up-to-date information on the volcano.
Access to all areas on the lower flanks of the Belham Valley and further south, and south of Jack Boy Hill to Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited at all times (readers are refereed to the updated risk map). The maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island extends 4 km off shore from Spanish Point to Roches Yard on the east side of the volcano, 2 km offshore from O’Garras to Sturge Park on the south-west, and 2 km offshore from Isles Bay to Old Road Bluff on the west (maritime risk map).
For further explanations of the volcanic phenomena described, and information about the Soufrière Hills Volcano and the ongoing eruption, please look at the rest of the MVO website.
