Seismic activity at the volcano overnight has again been quiet for most of the reporting period. Only a few rockfall signals and some low amplitude tremor on the Gages station were recorded. At 2:24 am another earthquake swarm began and is continuing past the end of the reporting period. This swarm is similar to previous swarms in its content of both VT and hybrid events. At 3:54 am a signal interpreted as a pyroclastic flow started and continued for 10 minutes. A moderate sized avalanche over Galway's Wall was triggered by a VT event at 6:04 am.
Cloud on the top of the volcano is currently hampering views of the dome and crater. However the tower at Bramble Airport report some rockfall and incandescence from the eastern side of the dome indicating the eastern face of the dome complex is still active. It is likely that the pyroclastic flow recorded at 3:54 am was from this area of the dome.
The scientific team at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory would like to re-iterate the following points. The volcano remains active and potentially dangerous. The lava dome is currently larger than ever before and shows signs of becoming more active. There are several areas on the eastern and south eastern face which appear very unstable and further pyroclastic flows are likely. Explosive activity similar to the September 17 event and possibly larger is still a distinct possibility. People entering zone C must remain alert, listen to Radio Montserrat and be ready to leave at short notice. Only essential visits should be made. The ash levels in Plymouth are hazardous, and it is extremely important to wear an ash mask when there is ash in the air.