Measurable activity has remained low throughout the reporting period. No visual observations have been possible due to low cloud base over the volcano. This has meant that assessment of dome growth - rate or direction - at this time has not been possible. Nevertheless, there is no indication that dome growth has either ceased or switched direction. Observed pyroclastic activity has been low, and generally focused on Tyres Ghaut excepting 16 January when there was a slight increase and between 13:00 and 14:00 pyroclastic flows were observed in Tyres Ghaut, Tar River and Gages Valley.
Low-level gas and ash venting from a vent on the western side of the dome has continued and was at times audible as a low roaring.
Seismicity during the period was low. The seismic network recorded just 52 rockfall signals, 3 long-period rockfall signals, 2 long-period earthquakes, 1 hybrid earthquake and 1 volcano-tectonic earthquake. Assuming rockfall activity to be a is a proxy for extrusion rates, this low level of activity could indicate that much lower lava extrusion rate or even a pause and/or accumulation of magma inside the dome (endogenous growth) in contrast the extrusive activity - extrusion of lava as lobes etc. (exogenous growth) seen to date.
The sulphur dioxide (SO2) flux rate during the period was low, ranging from a recorded minimum of 117 tones per day (t/d) to a maximum of 194 t/d, with an average of 156 t/d, in line with the past reporting period.
The alert level remains at 4
Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune into ZJB Radio 88.3 or 95.5 FM for up-to-date information on the volcano.
Access to all areas south of Belham Valley, and south of Jack Boy Hill to Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited at all times (see the updated risk map). The maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island extends 4 km off shore from Spanish Point to Roches Yard on the east side of the volcano, 2 km offshore from O'Garras to Sturge Park on the south-west, and 2 km offshore from Isles Bay to Old Road Bluff on the west.