San Juan, Puerto Rico - A volcano on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat has resumed its rumbling and hurled rocks and lava toward the abandoned capital.

The observatory said Friday that the Soufriere Hills volcano spewed ash 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) into the air on Christmas Eve. Acting Director Nicolas Fournier says no ash fall was reported over inhabited areas. He said rockfalls have increased by 80 percent compared to last week.

The volcano had remained quiet for six months until it exploded earlier this month.