Activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano has continued overnight at about the same relatively low level as during the past several days. Signals indicative of small- to moderate-sized rock avalanches from the sides of the growing lava dome still dominate the seismic records. The largest rockfalls during this period occurred at 22:40 on 17 July and 05:48 on 18 July 1996. A number of small long-period and hybrid events were also recorded. Intermittent, relatively short-duration, low-amplitude broadband tremor was recorded by the Gages seismic station and this is most probably indicative of increased steam emission in the Crater.
No views of the dome were possible during the early part of today because low clouds continue to obscure the volcano.
Dome growth is continuing and therefore the threats posed by the Soufriere Hills Volcano continue at the same or a greater level as over the past several months. The Tar River and Long Ground areas to the east and the upper Fort Ghaut, Gages Village and Upper Amersham areas to the west are still extremely hazardous. People should not enter these areas under any circumstances because they put themselves and others at direct risk of very serious injury or death. People are urged to keep visits to the evacuated zone to a minimum.