Pyroclastic flows continuously fell over the island and buried most of it in deposits ranging from decimeters to tens of meters. Before the 2008 eruption, there had been little documented activity on the island.
The pyroclastic flows relentlessly flowed over the island, depositing layers of ash and debris ranging from a few centimeters to tens of meters thick. Prior to the 2008 eruption, the island had experienced minimal documented volcanic activity.