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

The seismic network recorded eleven rockfalls, ten volcano-tectonic (VT) and one long period event. Eight of the VTs occurred over 5 minutes on 5 May.

The average sulphur dioxide measurement was 433 tons per day, with a maximum of 895 and a minimum of 243 tons per day.

A moderate sized lahar (mudflow) occurred in the Belham valley in the early hours of 30 April and was the first to reach the sea for several months.

Moderate sized pyroclastic flows occurred in the Tar River and in the February 2010 collapse scar this week and demonstrate that the lava dome remains unstable and further pyroclastic flows are expected.

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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