The volcano has been active overnight. At about 9 yesterday evening a hybrid swarm started. This was not an intense swarm but contained a few large events. This swarm continued until about midnight, when a period of intensified rockfall activity began. A fairly large pyroclastic flow signal was recorded starting at 3:54 this morning and lasted for 20 minutes. At the time of writing it has not been possible to discover the full extent of damage caused, although it is known that in the east the flow reached and set fire to buildings at the airport and reached the sea to the South of the airport. Hybrids are again being recorded at the moment.
The probability of further large collapses and pyroclastic flows is high. Large pyroclatic flows could travel down the Belham Valley as far as the sea. Residents of the exclusion zone south of Nantes River are thus urged to move north, as pyroclastic flows in the Belham Valley could produce surges threatening the Friths, Old Towne, Olveston and Salem areas. Large collapse espisodes have in the past lead to explosive activity at the volcano and this remains a possibility.
There is wet ash all over the island this morning and this will make driving dangerous. Also as the ash dries it will start to blow about and the wearing of ash masks is recommended outdoors. Everyone is advised to keep listening to Radio Montserrat for information on the activity.