Determining the Timing and Location of Pyroclastic Density Currents Using RSAM Data and Deposit Distribution

On 11 February 2010, a large (50 M m³) partial dome collapse occurred at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. The collapse was a complex event that lasted for 107 minutes and involved the emplacement of many pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). A wide variety of deposits from the PDCs covered 11 km² of the northern and northeastern flanks of the volcano with varying distribution. The collapse was recorded by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory's network of broadband seismometers, four of which were located in close proximity to the main channels of PDC emplacement. Analysis of the SP RSAM revealed different responses on some stations at different stages of collapse. We attempt to determine the timing and locations of PDCs generated during different stages of the collapse by comparing the RSAM record with the deposit stratigraphy and other visual observations to further understand the events that unfolded during the partial collapse.