The Government of Montserrat, the Disaster Management Coordinating Agency (DMCA) and the MVO have adopted a Hazard Level System which has been used at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat since August 1, 2008. The purpose of the system is to improve management of the ongoing eruption and to provide important infomation to the residents of Montserrat.

The Hazard Level System has repaced the Alert Level System. The Hazard Level is not related to the old Alert Level.

The Hazard Level System divides the southern two-thirds of Montserrat into six zones, with two Maritime Exclusion Zones. Access permission for each of these zones is dependent on the Hazard Level. The Hazard Level, which ranges from 1 to 5 is set by NDPRAC on the advice of MVO.

Leaflets and posters explaining the Hazard Level System are available from the offices of the DMCA, MVO, airport and many other locations in Montserrat. They can also be downloaded as pdf files in the download area.

Access restrictions

Hazard Level System

Hazard Level1		1	2	3	4	5
Typical Activity2		More than one year with no measured activity.	No activity that threatens the north or west.3 Low measured activity.4	Mild activity that threatens the west.5 Significant change of measured activity.6 High measured activity.7	Lava extrusion that threatens the north or west. Large unstable dome to the north or west.	Threat of large pyroclastic flows to the north or northwest. Threat of lateral blast or sector collapse.
Zones map
Zones	A	Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Controlled access
	B	Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Controlled access	Controlled access
	C	Unrestricted	Daytime access	Controlled access	Controlled access	Essential workers
	F	Unrestricted	Daytime access	Daytime access	Controlled access	Controlled access
	V	Daytime access to some areas	Controlled access	Essential workers	Essential workers	Essential workers
	T	Daytime access	Controlled access	Controlled access	Essential workers	Essential workers
Maritime Exclusion Zones	W	Unrestricted	Daytime access	Daytime transit	Essential workers	Essential workers
	E	Unrestricted	Essential workers	Essential workers	Essential workers	Essential workers
1 The Hazard Level is not related to the Alert Level used prior to 1 August 2008. 2 The descriptions of types of volcanic activity are indicative only. The level will be set by the MVO based on assessment of the actual activity. 3 For example, growth contained by the crater or non-growing lava dome contained by the crater. 4 Measured activity refers to all the monitoring techniques used by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) including seismic, ground deformation, gas measurements and visual observations. 5 For instance, mild ash venting from vents located on the northern or western side of the crater with no measured activity that might be a precursor to larger activity. 6 Any change in measured activity which may be the precursor to an eruption caused by a sudden rise of magma beneath the dome. This may, or may not, be accompanied by surface activity such as explosions or dome growth. 7 A high level of measured activity which may be the precursor to an eruption caused by the steady rise of magma within the volcano. This may, or may not, be accompanied by surface activity such as explosions or dome growth.

Hazard zones

Zones

Maritime Exclusion Zones