This report provides the results of a study by the British Geological Survey (BGS). It refers to work carried out on behalf of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), under the International Business Development (IBD) and the Physical Hazards Programmes of the BGS.
This report details the first phase of work carried out to investigate the nature and instability of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, West Indies. The purpose of the monitoring programme is to provide the best possible information to the MVO to assist in decisions about the long-term management of the current volcanic crisis.
This primary aim of the survey was to provide a ‘baseline’ survey, incorporating a terrestrial LiDAR (Light Distance And Ranging) survey of the volcanic crater to allow a future assessment to be made, based on subsequent periodic ‘monitoring’ surveys of any changes in the conditions, in particular, the continued growth of a new lava dome or the potential weakening of the crater walls
