Brades, Montserrat – December 4, 2023
The Montserrat Volcano Observatory has issued a preliminary report highlighting a measurable increase in the level of unrest at the Soufrière Hills Volcano. Despite overall low activity, the volcano has exhibited heightened signs of unrest over the past year, as outlined in the report released during the annual session of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).
According to the report, the Soufrière Hills Volcano has experienced higher rates of volcano-tectonic earthquakes since around 2019, with a notable escalation in the last 12 months. Ground deformation monitoring indicates a slow but continuous inflation over the island, aligning with a well-established long-term trend observed over the past 13 years. The measured sulfur dioxide (SO2) fluxes have averaged approximately 300 tonnes per day in the last six months, a slight decrease from the previous year but still above the long-term average. Thermal camera images of fumaroles on the dome, acquired in March, reveal a maximum temperature of 522 ℃, consistent with increased temperatures observed since 2018.
The report underscores, “Overall, the unrest for the past 12 months is the highest observed during the current pause. However, based on previous restarts, we would expect a further increase in unrest prior to the resumption of any significant eruptive activity. The best explanation for this unrest is pressurization of the magmatic reservoir at depth, possibly driven by a continued supply of magma and gas.”
While the Soufrière Hills Volcano, known for its large lava dome, remains a potential source of hazards within Zone V, including explosions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars, the chance of explosions or pyroclastic flows occurring within the next year is considered low. Continuous monitoring of the volcano is deemed essential due to its status as one of the most active and studied volcanoes in the Caribbean.
Soufrière Hills has been undergoing volcanic activity since 1995, and a significant eruption on June 25, 1997, claimed 19 lives, rendering two-thirds of the island uninhabitable.
Nate Media will continue to monitor developments related to the Soufrière Hills Volcano and provide updates as the situation evolves.
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