Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano has been low this week.

The seismic network recorded nine rockfalls, four volcano-tectonic events and one long-period event.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement was 514 tons per day, with a maximum of 691 and a minimum of 269 tons per day.

There were a few partial views of the dome this week. These showed no changes in the shape of the dome nor in the locations of fumarolic activity.

There was a small pyroclastic flow in the Tar River Valley on 11 April at 21:10. This had a runout between 1 and 1.5 km and was generated when a piece fell off the steep eastern side of the dome. The resulting diffuse ash cloud drifted west over uninhabited areas.

The smell of volcanic gas has been very noticeable at times this week. This was not caused by any changes in the volcanic activity but was due to changes in the prevailing wind direction that blew the plume towards the north and north-west over inhabited areas.

Despite the low level of activity, sporadic pyroclastic flows can and do occur without any warning. The Hazard Level is 3. There is no access to the terrestrial Zone C and only daytime transit access to shipping through the maritime extension of the zone.

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