There has been one explosion during the reporting period. this event occurred at 7:02 pm yesterday October 21, bringing the total number of explosions during this series to 75. This event deposited pumice fragments and some ash in the Salem, Woodlands, St.Peters areas. The pumice fragments were ranged in sizes from about 1.5 cm in St.Peters to about 2.5 cm in the Woodlands and Salem areas. The ash plume was estimated by MVO observers to be over 15,000 feet high and most of the finer material drifted out to the north-west and out to sea. There was no visual observation to determine the direction or extent of pyroclastic flows due ton darkness and poor visibility due to cloud cover. This will be ascertained as soon as an overflight is done by the MVO. There have been a few rockfalls. Seismicity since has been dominated by a swarm moderate sized volcano-tectonic eart hquakes and a few long period and hybrid events.
Further explosions are anticipated today, although the interval between explosions is quite variable at the moment so it is difficult to know when the next one will be. Explosions could be bigger and thus more dangerous than they have been so far. No warning is expected before further events. All residents remaining in Frith, Old Towne and Salem are thus urged to move out as soon as possible.
After an explosion, fallout can occur anywhere on the island. People should shelter in a strong building and wait for the fallout to end. If this is not possible then hard hats or other suitable protection should be worn. Avoid driving during or immediately after ashfall if at all possible. This morning the roads are very dangerous due to the deposition of gravel sized material on the surface of the road as well as ash which will be blowing around The wearing of ash masks is recommended since dry weather will cause the light ash to be very mobile. Everyone is advised to keep listening to Radio Montserrat for information on the activity.