La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent & the Grenadines shows rising temperature levels

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) has issued a warning against visiting La Soufrière volcano due to heightened temperatures detected in the area. These thermal anomalies could signal potential dangers, such as a sulphur fire within the crater, a minor phreatic (steam) eruption that could expel hot rocks, or the onset of new lava extrusion.

La Soufrière is known for its history of explosive eruptions, with the most recent significant event occurring on April 9, 2021, following a phase of effusive activity. The volcano has erupted twice in the past 40 years, with notable eruptions in 1979 and 1902.

The recent increase in temperature was detected by the NASA FIRMS hot spot detection system at the summit of the 4,000-foot volcano. NEMO strongly advises the public to avoid the area until further updates are provided.

“At 2:38 pm (local time) today, information received from the Seismic Research Centre confirmed that a low thermal anomaly—temperatures above normal background levels—was detected at the summit of La Soufrière volcano by the NASA FIRMS hot spot detection system on Sunday, October 6, 2024,” stated NEMO.

The organization added that “this low thermal anomaly, as detected by NASA FIRMS, is currently ongoing.” They also noted that analysis of multigas data collected on October 4 by NEMO’s Soufrière Monitoring Team, as well as further reconnaissance by sea along the west coast, is still underway.

“Further updates will be provided following the analysis of the multigas data and conclusions from visual observations,” NEMO reported, emphasizing that the volcano remains at a green alert level, indicating that it is quiet, with seismic and fumarolic (steam vent) activities at or below historical levels.

No other unusual activity has been observed.

For now, NEMO advises against visiting the volcano and has closed the La Soufrière Trail.

“There should be no unauthorized access to the summit until further notice,” the statement concluded. -(CMC).