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SITUATION OVERVIEW

The following was reported in the NEMO, St Vincent and the Grenadines, La Soufriere Bulletin #66, April 17, 2021 at 11:00am:

  • The swarm of long-period and hybrid earthquakes continued at La Soufrière Volcano.
  • The rate of occurrence of these earthquakes dropped significantly at about 8 pm on 16 April and has remained near-constant since.

Situation Overview

The 6:00am Scientific Advisory from the UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) issued on 16th April, 2021, reported the following:

  • Seismic activity at La Soufrière, St Vincent continued as before with a near-constant swarm of long-period and hybrid earthquakes. There was one band of low-level tremor at 9pm on 15 April which lasted about 40 minutes and may have been associated with a small increase in venting.

  • The first successful measurements of sulphur dioxide flux at La Soufriere volcano was undertaken along the west coast yesterday. With the assistance of the coast guard several traverses were done by boat and yielded an average SO2 flux of 809 tons per day. 

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The latest Scientific Advisory from the UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) issued at 6:00 AM on 15th April, 2021, reported
the following:

  • Seismic activity at La Soufrière, St Vincent continued to follow the established pattern with bands of tremor about between 13 and 15 hours apart, separated by swarms of small long-period earthquakes. The latest band of tremor started at about 2:30 am and was associated with increased venting.

Bridgetown, Barbados April 15, 2021 – CDEMA deployed a Detailed Damage Sectoral Analysis (DDSA) team on April 14, 2021 in support of the humanitarian efforts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines following the explosive eruptions of La Soufriere volcano that commenced on April 9, 2021. The DDSA team will support the government by providing an assessment of key sectors and guidance towards estimating needs and associated costs, which will inform the relief and recovery efforts.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The latest Scientific Advisory from the UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) issued at 6:00 AM on 14th April, 2021, reported the following:

• Seismic activity at La Soufrière continued the pattern established yesterday (Tuesday 13th April),
• Small long-period earthquakes continued to gradually increase in number after the explosive activity at 6:30am on 13th April. These continued until another episode of              explosive activity started at 8:30 pm on 13th April. This generated continuous seismic tremor which lasted for four to five hours.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The latest Scientific Advisory from the UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) issued at 6:00 AM on 13th April, 2021, reported the following:

• Seismic activity at La Soufrière continued the pattern established yesterday (Monday 12th April), with short bands of continuous seismic tremor interspersed with long-period
earthquakes.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

  • At 4:05am there was a huge Pelean style explosion accompanied by pyroclastic density currents on the south and south western flanks of the volcano
  • The domes formed in 1979 and 2021 have been destroyed and a deep crater with a vent now exists
  • Explosions are ongoing
  • SRC has lost connection with 4 of its 8 seismic stations and new
    seismic stations will be installed when it is safe to do so
  • The remaining 4 stations will provide the ability to monitor the
    activity and will be augmented by satellite imagery

SITUATION OVERVIEW

  • At 4:05am there was a huge Pelean style explosion accompanied by pyroclastic density currents on the south and south western flanks of the volcano
  • The domes formed in 1979 and 2021 have been destroyed and a deep crater with a vent now exists
  • Explosions are ongoing
  • SRC has lost connection with 4 of its 8 seismic stations and new
    seismic stations will be installed when it is safe to do so
  • The remaining 4 stations will provide the ability to monitor the
    activity and will be augmented by satellite imagery

SITUATION OVERVIEW

•Explosive events continue with significant venting of ash.
•Ashfall occurred in most areas of the island overnight and in the Grenadines, Barbados, Saint Lucia and Grenada.
•Rainfall has added to the weight of ash on buildings and the remobilization of material in streams, valleys and on hills.
•Scientists informed of possible pyroclastic flows on the eastern side of the island.
•There were some reports of individuals with respiratory concerns.

  1. CDEMA Situation Report #10 on the La Soufriere Volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  2. On 29th December 2020 the alert level for the La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines was elevated to Orange because of increased activity at the site. The volcano has had an effusive eruption, with visible gas and steam eruption and the for
  3. Explosive Eruptions at La Soufriere Volcano, St. Vincent Situation Report #8 as of 9:30 pm, April 9th, 2021
  4. CDEMA Situation Report #7 - Effusive Eruption at La Soufriere Volcano, St. Vincent as of 8:00 pm (AST) on March 5th, 2021
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