Activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano continued at about the same level as yesterday. Three episodes of small hybrid earthquakes and volcano-tectonic earthquakes which progressed into a relatively short-period of high amplitude, low-frequency tremor were recorded. Each of these lasted for about 2 hours. Several small- to moderate-sized rockfalls were also recorded. At around 17:00 on 08 August, a series of near-continuous small rockfalls from the eastern flank of the dome led to a few small pyroclastic flows at around 17:20 in the Upper Tar River Valley. The flows travelled as far as the Tar River Soufriere and resulted in ash clouds which rose to a height of about 7,000 ft above sea level. These ash clouds were blown westward on the wind and out to sea, with only small ashfalls in the Upper Gages, Amersham and Plymouth areas. Dome growth at the Soufriere Hills volcano is still continuing and these sequences are probably associated with magma migration from shallow depths.
During the early morning period, the volcano was obscured by low clouds and the dome could not be seen from both Bramble Control Tower and the Observatory.
While the current phase of activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano continues, hazards in some areas of the evacuated zone have increased significantly. In particular, we expect significant-sized pyroclastic flows to occur more frequently in the Tar River Valley area. These will obviously be associated with ash clouds which will be blown on the wind, with areas affected by ashfall being determined by the wind direction and strength at that time. The Tar River Valley and surrounding areas are now extremely hazardous, and should not be entered under any circumstances. If activity continues, there is a risk that flows or ash surges may come over Farrells' Wall and the upper reaches of some of the ghauts closest to the Tar River Valley. People are, therefore, advised not to work these areas. We also urge individuals who continue to ignore this advice to think very seriously before making trips to these highly hazardous zones.