La Soufrière Volcano Experiences Multiple Eruptions

Posted: April 12, 2021 10:45 am

It has been a tense few days on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent as a volcano has erupted multiple times, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people.

La Soufrière Erupts Several Times: La Soufrière, the largest volcano on the normally quiet island of St. Vincent first erupted on Friday. The good news is that officials had foreseen the natural disaster and ordered the evacuations on Thursday, just in time for residents to make their way out of the danger zone. The first eruption featured a massive plume of ash shooting approximately 52,000 feet into the sky.

Friday’s eruption was the first activity out of this volcano since 1979. After the initial eruption, a few smaller blasts followed throughout the day on Friday. Strong southwesterly winds transported the ash all over the northern region of the island. The winds carried the ash out into the Atlantic Ocean and near the islands of Saint Lucia and Barbados.

Residents Awoke to Ash and Sulphur: The 110,000 residents of the island awoke on Saturday to heavy ash lingering in the air along with the strong scent of sulphur. Those with respiratory problems are the most at risk as the air continues to be contaminated.

The rumblings continued into Sunday morning, showing that the volcano was not done yet. Early Sunday, the National Emergency Management Organization of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (NEMO SVG) issued a statement that there was another explosive event. As a result, nearly the entire island was without power in the overnight hours.

According to Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, water supplies have been cut off. In addition, the smoke and ash have led to the shut down of the air space over the island.

Evacuations: The government mandated evacuations ahead of Friday’s initial eruption, affecting approximately 16,000 people. Cruise line ships arrived to the island on Friday, helping residents to escape the smoke and ash. However, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic is hampering these efforts to carry as many people as possible away from the danger.

Gonsalves directed that only vaccinated individuals be allowed to board the cruise ships. He also recommended that residents should be vaccinated if they plan on heading to a public shelter.

What is Next: Experts warn that the eruptions may continue for days or even weeks. Gonsalves has put the island on red alert. He warned that it may take up to four months for St. Vincent to return to normalcy. Gonsalves also warned that the island’s agriculture industry will be significantly affected. The prime minister urged residents to be patient and remain on alert.