Volcanic activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano has been dominated overnight by rockfall signals and by the reappearance of small, repetitive hybrid events at seismic stations close to the volcano. These events, which have in the past been associated with periods of increased dome growth, reappeared at 20:29 on 30 May 1996. The rate and amplitude of the events have been variable but they are currently occurring at a rate of about one every two minutes. Several small rockfall signals were also recorded during the night. One of these events, recorded at 06:14 on 31 May, was associated with a large rockfall which was observed from Bramble Airport. Low-amplitude broadband tremor has been intermittent throughout the night. A few small long period events were also recorded by the seismograph network during the night.
Visibility has been poor during the early morning with low cloud cover blanketing the top of the volcano. No clear views have been obtained from the Observatory or from Bramble Airport.
The MVO still views the situation at the Soufriere Hills Volcano with grave concern and the scientists continue to urge that visits to the evacuated zone be kept to a minimum. The Tar River, Long Ground and Whites areas are extremely dangerous, and should not be entered under any circumstances.