The level of volcanic activity has remained very low.
Between 4 pm yesterday and 4 pm today there were 4 volcano-tectonic earthquakes, 5 rockfall events and 6 hybrid earthquakes recorded by the seismograph networks. A swarm of very low amplitude volcano-tectonic events occurred this morning but these were mostly too small to trigger the networks.
Dust levels were low today. No sulphur dioxide haze was observed from the Salem area, as in recent days, although this may be because the wind was blowing to the northwest.
The volcano was very clear today and a detailed photographic and GPS survey was made to find out whether the dome has grown at all in recent weeks. The results of this survey should be available in a few days. A small rockfall was observed down the southwestern side of the newest part of the dome. Otherwsie no obvious changes in the dome were observed.
Temperatures were measured in the pyroclastic flow deposits at Trants, which were erupted on September 21st. Temperatures exceeded 300 degrees C at 2 meters depth. These results show that deposits take a long time to cool and remain very hazardous. In places the surface is loose and it is possible to sink to depths where the ash is very hot.
Residents are reminded that the volcano remains in a potentially active state, and that they should continue listening to Radio Montserrat in case the present quiet situation at the volcano changes suddenly.