The level of seismic activity has remained generally at the same level overnight. Small earthquakes, largely related to rock fracturing caused by continued dome growth are being recorded at the four seismograph stations closest to the Soufriere Hills volcano. The rate at which these events occur have reduced since 05:00, to about 2 per minute. Background tremor, which had become lower during yesterday have also reduced to an even lower level than since 05:00 today.
Dr Joe Devine of Brown University, Rhode Is, U.S.A., returned to Montserrat late yesterday evening. Dr Devine have been assisting throughout the current volcanic unrest with analysis of ash samples. He would continue to help in the interpretation of petrological aspects of the current activity. Mr Jean Battaglia, a French scientist, returned to St Lucia early this morning. He assisted with the sampling of gases and condensates from the Galways Soufriere while on island. The samples collected would be analysed at the observatory in Guadeloupe.