Rob Watts

RMIT University

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R. S. J. Sparks

University of Bristol

Richard A. Herd

University of East Anglia

S. R. Young

Lancaster University

Susan Loughlin

British Geological Survey

B. Voight

Pennsylvania State University

Paul Cole

University of Plymouth

Richard Luckett

British Geological Survey

G. E. Norton

British Geological Survey

Lloyd Lynch

University of the West Indies

Machel Higgins

Florida International University

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Montserrat Volcano Observatory

University of the West Indies

British Geological Survey

University of the West Indies System

Pennsylvania State University

University of the West

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

United States Geological Survey

University of East Anglia

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Anatomy of a lava dome collapse: the 20 March 2000 event at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (2003)

Simon Carn Rob Watts Gary M. Thompson G. E. Norton

Lava dome

Dome (geology)

Lahar

10.1016/s0377-0273(03)00364-0

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Citations (82)

Elevated Seismic Activity Beneath the Slumbering Morne aux Diables Volcano, Northern Dominica and the Monitoring Role of the Seismic Research Centre

AGUFM (2012)

Rob Watts Richard Robertson W. Abraham Paul Cole T. de Roche

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Citations (1)

Pyroclastic flows and surges generated by the 25 June 1997 dome collapse, Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Geological Society London Memoirs (2002)

Susan Loughlin Eliza S. Calder A. B. Clarke Paul Cole Richard Luckett

Abstract On 25 June 1997, an unsteady, retrogressive, partial collapse of the lava dome at Soufrière Hills Volcano lasted 25 minutes and generated a major pulsatory block-and-ash flow, associated pyroclastic surges and a surge-derived pyroclastic flow that inundated an area of 4 km 2 on the north and NE flanks of the volcano. Three main pulses are estimated to have involved 0.78, 2.36 and 2.36 x 10 6 m 3 of debris and the average velocities of the fronts of the related block-and-ash flow pulses were calculated to be 15 ms -1 , 16.1 ms -1 and 21.9 ms -1 respectively. Deposits of block-and-ash flow pulses 1 and 2 partially filled the main drainage channel so that material of the third pulse spilled out of the channel at several places, inundating villages on the eastern coastal plain. Bends and constrictions in the main drainage channel, together with depositional filling of the channel, assisted detachment of pyroclastic surges from the pulsatory block-and-ash flow. The most extensive pyroclastic surge detached at an early stage from the third block-and-ash flow pulse, swept down the north flank of the volcano and then climbed 70 m in elevation before dissipating. Rapid sedimentation from this surge generated a high-concentration granular flow (surge-derived pyroclastic flow) that drained westwards into a valley not anticipated to be at high risk. Observations support the hypothesis that the interior of the Soufrière Hills Volcano lava dome was pressurized and that pyroclastic surge development became more substantial as deeper, more highly pressurized parts of the dome were incorporated into the pyroclastic flow. Surge development was at times so violent that expanded clouds detached from the block-and-ash flow within a few tens of metres of the lava dome.

Dome (geology)

Lava dome

10.1144/gsl.mem.2002.021.01.09

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Growth patterns and emplacement of the andesitic lava dome at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Geological Society London Memoirs (2002)

Rob Watts Richard A. Herd R. S. J. Sparks S. R. Young

abstract Eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano on Montserrat allowed the detailed documentation of a Pélean dome-forming eruption. Dome growth between November 1995 and March 1998 produced over 0.3 km 3 of crystal-rich andesitic lava. Discharge rates gradually accelerated from >1 m 3 s -1 during the first few months to >5 m 3 s -1 in the later stages. Early dome growth (November 1995 to September 1996) was dominated by the diffuse extrusion of large spines and mounds of blocky lava. A major dome collapse (17 September 1996) culminated in a magmatic explosive eruption, which unroofed the main conduit. Subsequent dome growth was dominated by the extrusion of broad lobes, here termed shear lobes. These lobes developed through a combination of exogenous and endogenous growth over many weeks, with movement accommodated along curved shear faults within the dome interior. Growth cycles were recognized, with each cycle initiated by the slow emplacement of a large shear lobe, constructing a steep flank on one sector of the dome. A growth spurt, heralded by the onset of intense hybrid seismicity, pushed the lobe rapidly out, triggering dome collapse. Extrusion of another lobe within the resulting collapse scar reconstructed the steep dome flanks prior to the next cycle.

Lava dome

Dome (geology)

10.1144/gsl.mem.2002.021.01.06

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Citations (186)

Pyroclastic flow and explosive activity at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, during a period of virtually no magma extrusion (March 1998 to November 1999)

Geological Society London Memoirs (2002)

G. E. Norton Rob Watts B. Voight G. S. Mattioli Richard A. Herd

Abstract Dome growth at Soufrière Hills Volcano halted in early March 1998. After dome growth ceased, seismicity reduced significantly, but activity related to dome disintegration and degassing of magma at depth continued. A sustained episode of pyroclastic flows on 3 July 1998 marked the single largest collapse from March 1998 to November 1999. This led to a remarkable episode of dome collapses, low-energy explosions and ash-venting that resulted in the regular production of ash plumes, commonly reaching 1.5-6 km above sea level (a.s.l), but sometimes up to 11 km a.s.l., and the development of a small block-and-ash cone around the explosion crater. During the period of this residual activity, higher levels of activity occurred approximately every five to six weeks. This periodicity was similar to the cycles observed during active dome growth during 1995 to 1998, and probably had a similar cause. The relatively high level of observed activity caused continued concern regarding volcanic hazards and their potential to impact upon the resident population. Vigorous magma extrusion resumed in November 1999. The activity of the intervening period is attributed to the continued cooling and degassing of the dome, conduit and deep magma body, the impact of rising volcanic gases in the volcanic edifice, and limited magma flow in the conduit.

Dome (geology)

Volcanic hazards

Lava dome

Electrical conduit

Magma chamber

Peléan eruption

10.1144/gsl.mem.2002.021.01.21

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Citations (57)