Up until early this morning (Thursday) the pattern of seismic activity seen at the Soufriere Hills Volcano continues at a high level. The episodes of volcano-tectonic earthquakes followed by tremors which started last Saturday continue and the latest one was the most intense to date.
This activity may have led to small pyroclastic flows but visibility has been too bad to confirm this. There was however, no ash fall over the last 24 hours.
Early this morning there were some flood signals registering on most of the seismic stations as there was some heavy rain at the time. Scientists are warning that anyone going south beyond Fort Ghaut may be faced with flash floods in the Ghaut which is already choked with volcanic debris.
The eastern face of the dome is very steep and may collapse at any time. This makes the Tar River Valley and Long Ground area very dangerous and everyone is urged to keep clear.
There has been rockfalls over the Galways Wall making the Upper Galways area very dangerous and once again residents are urged to keep clear.
The alert level remains at ORANGE and the risk map temporary revision (dated November) has been lifted and we now have reverted to the original map. Copies are being made available to the public over the next few days.
Government Information Service