Thursday, February 23, 2012

Last Activity & Weekly Reports

Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano is at a low level.

The seismic network recorded one rockfall and nine volcano-tectonic earthquakes.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement over seven days this week was 340 tonnes per day with a maximum of 710 and a minimum of 157 tonnes per day. However these are likely to be underestimates as only one spectrometer has been operational for most of the week.

Pyroclastic flows can still occur at any time without warning. Lahars (mudflows) remain a hazard.  Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by lahars, therefore caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall.

The Hazard Level is 2. There is daytime access (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) to Zone C. Maritime zone W remains daytime transit only (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop).

Weekly reports

Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano remains at a low level.

The seismic network recorded three rockfalls and two volcano-tectonic earthquakes.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement over seven days this week was 367 tonnes per day with a maximum of 620 and a minimum of 197 tonnes per day.

Pyroclastic flows can still occur at any time without any warning. Lahars (mudflows) remain a hazard.  Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by lahars, therefore caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall.

The Hazard Level is 2. There is daytime access (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) to Zone C. Maritime zone W remains daytime transit only (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop).

Weekly reports

Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano remains at a low level.

Four rockfalls and five volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network this week.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement over seven days this week was 287 tonnes per day with a maximum of 491 and a minimum of 182 tonnes per day.

On 28 January a small pyroclastic flow occurred on the western, Gages side of the dome. This had a run out of around 300 m, had no precursors and shows that the western side of the dome can still shed pyroclastic flows.

Lahars (mudflows) remain a hazard.  Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by lahars, therefore caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall. In addition pyroclastic flows can still occur at any time without any warning.

The Hazard Level is 2. There is daytime access (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) to Zone C. Maritime zone W remains daytime transit only (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop).

Weekly reports

Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano remains at a low level.

Three volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network this week.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement over seven days this week was 343 tonnes per day with a maximum of 531 and a minimum of 247 tonnes per day.

Clear weather allowed good views of the lava dome on several days this week and no changes were identified. Spots of incandescence on the lava dome, similar to those observed in recent months, were seen at night this week.

A small lahar occurred on the western side of the volcano in the early hours of 27 January.

Pyroclastic flows can still occur at any time without any warning. Lahars (mudflows) also remain a hazard.Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by lahars, therefore caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall.

The Hazard Level is 2. There is daytime access (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) to Zone C. Maritime zone W remains daytime transit only (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop).

Weekly reports

Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano is at a low level.

One rockfall and eleven volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network this week. Nine of these VTs occurred in 11 minutes on 17 January.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement over seven days this week was 263 tons per day with a maximum of 334 and a minimum of 164 tons per day.

No significant changes in the lava dome were observed this week.

Pyroclastic flows can still occur at any time without any warning. Lahars (mudflows) also remain a hazard.  Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by lahars, therefore caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall.

The Hazard Level is 2. There is daytime access (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) to Zone C. Maritime zone W remains daytime transit only (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop).

 

Weekly reports

 Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano is at a low level.

 One rockfall and two volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network this week.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement over seven days this week was 340 tons per day with a maximum of 493 and a minimum of 194 tons per day.

Partial glimpses of the lava dome this week showed no significant changes.

Pyroclastic flows can still occur at any time without any warning. Lahars (mudflows) also remain a hazard.  Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by lahars, therefore caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall.

The Hazard Level is 2. There is daytime access (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) to Zone C. Maritime zone W remains daytime transit only (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop).

Weekly reports