Seventeen (17) earthquakes were located during the period. These all occurred beneath the Soufriere Hills volcano at depths of 0 to 2.5 km (0 to 1.5 miles). The level of seismicity has remained at a relatively low level throughout the period, with background tremor dropping to a very low level but individual long-period events still being recorded at a rate of about 2 per minute on the Gages, Long Ground, Windy Hill and Bethel seismometers. The size of these long-period events has increased markedly since yesterday. A regional earthquake occurred at 06:38 this morning; it was located about 60 miles north of Montserrat but had no obvious effect on seismicity beneath the volcano.
A new EDM target was installed today high on the Gages wall. This target will form part of a new triangle of lines between it, Amersham and Upper Dagenham which should ensure good control on any movement on the Gages wall due to growth of the lava dome. The lines from Whites and from Long Ground to Castle Peak were measured and show a small amount of shortening. GPS measurements were again made overnight at stations at Harris' Lookout, Radio Antilles Aerial and St. George's Hill. Also, an additional GPS station was installed at Roache's Yard today in order to remeasure some lines across the volcano last measured several months ago.
Visual observations of the crater area were made today from the air, from the crater rim and from Long Ground. Continued slow growth of the lava dome was noted, with some small rock avalanches witnessed by scientists at the crater rim. A small explosive event occurred at 09:29 this morning which was heard from Chances Peak and which produced a low column of reddish ash seen from Gages and from Long Ground.