Surface Activity

Seismometers can pick up signals of rockfalls, mudflows or pyroclastic flows as they move down the volcano. Rockfalls, mudflows and pyroclastic flows each produce a distinct pattern of waves on the seismometer. We can use these traces to detect when falls and flows happen, even if we can’t see them.

Each surface activity leaves a different seismic signal. These graphs show the seismic traces for a rockfall (top) and a mudflow (bottom). Note the different lengths of the events. Credit: Paddy Smith / Martin Mangler

Seismic equipment requires a lot of maintenance to ensure its recording and transmitting the signals back to MVO. Credit: MVO Archive

Keep The Faith (Zunky 'n Dem)

Keep The Faith

‘Like earthquake swarms brought by the tremors / And hot pyroclastic flows
All kinds of seismic events / That each Montserratian now knows

Montserrat
No fright
See the light
This volcanic situation will end
And we’ll rise again
Yes we’ll smile and dance once again

So don’t panic when the mud flow like a river
Every disaster must cease
Every disaster must cease
And don’t panic when the earthquakes make you shudder
After turmoil there’ll be peace
After turmoil there’ll be peace.
We won’t run and we won’t quit.
But we’ll learn to live with it
If we keep the faith.’

– Extract from Song 'Keep The Faith' by Zunky 'n Dem