As of 4 November 2011 the Hazard Level is now at 2. NDPRAC agreed on a reduction of the Hazard Level based on advice from MVO that spontaneous pyroclastic flows occurring from the remaining lava dome had reduced considerably in number over the last year or so. In effect this means that the hazard from pyroclastic flows has reduced. The change in the Hazard Level now means that people can have ‘Daytime Access’ 8:00 am to 4:00 pm to Zone C – which includes Cork Hill, Weekes, Richmond Hill, Delvins and Foxes Bay.

Alongside a change in the current Hazard Level, small changes in the Hazard Level System and boundaries have been made. Owing to the proximity to the volcano and the fact that pyroclastic flows nearly reached the top in December 2008, St. Georges Hill is now part of Zone V, rather than Zone C. In addition the maritime Zone ‘W’ remains as ‘Daytime Transit’, which means that boats are permitted to travel through the Maritime Exclusion Zone without stopping from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Please see a full description of the Hazard Level System here. Also, please review our updated informational materials in the Downloads section. It includes:

1. Hazard Level System Poster (.pdf)
2. Map Zones of Hazard Level System (.pdf)
3. Google Earth Hazard Zones layer (.kmz)

   The current pause is now the longest since the eruption began in 1995. The reduction in Hazard level to 2 does not however mean that the eruption is over and all indications are that owing to continued ground deformation and steady gas output future activity is possible.

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