By Demion McTair. Updated 9:53 a.m., Monday, April 12, 2021, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Kingstown, St. Vincent: The current explosions at the La Soufriere volcano are taking place through a new vent as the 1979 and 2020-21 domes have collapsed.
The development was reported in a scientific update on activities at the volcano issued on Monday, by the Seismic Research Center of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus.
The report stated that “analysis of satellite imagery and comparison with previous images indicate that the
explosive eruptions thus far have destroyed the pre-existing domes (1979 and 2020-21)”.
“The current explosions are being generated from a new vent,” the report further stated.
Of particular concerns are the pyroclastic flows that have occurred.
According to the report, the explosions that have happened came with pyroclastic density currents, also known as pyroclastic flows.
“At about 4:15 am observations from the Belmont Observatory indicated that pyroclastic density currents (PDC) entered multiple valleys surrounding the volcano,” the report stated.
“Pyroclastic density currents are hot (200°C-700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris,” it added.
Episodes of high altitude tremors, ash venting continue.
Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days, the report stated.
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