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.