Only a few small earthquakes have been recorded in the last 24 hours at La Soufrière, St Vincent, as seismic activity continues to remain low, since the tremor associated with the explosion and ash venting on 22 April 2021.
However, the volcano remains at alert level ORANGE, as there is a small, but not insignificant, possibility that magmatic activity might restart, should there be an influx of new magma from depth, according to the latest Scientific Update on the La Soufrière Volcano, issued yesterday by the UWI Seismic Research Centre.
UWI Seismic explains the current activity at the volcano is consistent with a period of unrest after an eruption, noting that this can continue for weeks and even months.
“While volcanic activity has been on a decline, there is the continued presence of near surface hot spots, daily seismic activity and persistent degassing,” the latest update says.
UWI Seismic adds: “Measurements of the sulphur dioxide flux at La Soufrière were carried out by boat off the west coast on 3 August, with the assistance of the coastguard. Several traverses were completed and yielded an average SO2 (sulphur dioxide) flux of 207 tonnes per day.”
Further updates on La Soufriere can be obtained from UWI Seismic’s social media pages.
In addition, visit the International Volcanic Hazard Health Network for volcanic ash information and resources: www.ivhhn.org/information.
