Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano is low.
The seismic network recorded three volcano-tectonic earthquakes this week.
Sulphur-dioxide measurements gave an average flux of 379 tonnes/day with a maximum of 466 and a minimum of 254 tonnes/day.
The wind has been mainly towards the north and north-east since the night of 1/2 May. This has blown the volcanic plume over inhabited areas and the smell of volcanic gases has been noticeable at times.
Many Montserrat residents felt an earthquake at 2:56 am (local time) on Tuesday 30 April. This was located to the west of Barbuda, approximately 100 km north of Montserrat. The earthquake had a magnitude (Mt) of 5.3 and a depth of 58 km. It was not associated with the Soufrière Hills Volcano.
Pyroclastic flows can occur at any time without warning on any side of the volcano, including Gages from where they can travel rapidly into Plymouth. Tracks across the Belham valley are frequently destroyed or heavily modified by flash flooding or lahars, and caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall.
The Hazard Level is 2. There is no access to Plymouth or Zone V. There is daytime access to Zone C: 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday. Maritime zone W remains daytime transit only (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop).
Note: This report has been revised to include information on the Barbuda earthquake on 30 April 2013.