Soufriere Hills volcano on Montserrat has been relatively quiet for six months. There has been no extrusion of new lava, and no explosions in that period. Surface activity was restricted to rockfalls and occasional small pyroclastic flows from the dome, together with mudflows. While gas emission has remained unchanged, the number of earthquakes recorded has fallen to the lowest level seen during the eruption cycle. This suggests the long-term activity has changed at the volcano. It could possibly mean the "beginning of the end" of the eruption cycle. Formal end of eruption criteria have not yet been met. However, the risks to people living near the volcano have not changed, and sudden resumption of explosive and extrusive activity can rapidly pose a threat to adjacent areas.
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About John Seach
- John Seach
- John Seach is a scientist and the world's leading volcano adventurer. Over the past 24 years John has traveled to the world's most exciting volcanoes, and witnessed eruptions during trips to more than 200 volcanoes. John's work has been featured on award winning television programmes. John is the founder of "Volcano Live", the world's first volcano news and volcano travel website.