Grenada’s underwater volcano is acting up

By Admin. Updated 9:55 p.m., Saturday, February 10, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) said in a release today (February 10) that there is elevation in seismicity at Kick’-em-Jenny Submarine Volcano.

According to the Seismic Research Centre of the University of the West Indies, Kick-’em-Jenny, located approximately 8 km north of Grenada (12.18°N, 61.38°W), is the only known ‘live’ submarine volcano in the Eastern Caribbean.

In the press release, the NaDMA said The University of the West Indies, Seismic Research Center (UWI SRC) has advised the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) of increased seismic activity at the Kick’-em-Jenny Submarine Volcano beginning at 23:14 on Friday, 9th February 2024 and ongoing. The largest seismic activity measured 3.3 on February 10th with reports of these events being felt in the north of Grenada.

“The UWI SRC will continue to monitor the Submarine Volcano and provide updated analyses of the situation. There are currently four (4) fully functional seismic stations in the north of Grenada monitoring Kick’ -em-Jenny,” the release stated.

“Based on the information from UWI SRC, the alert level for Kick’-em-Jenny remains at YELLOW. This means that all marine interests should maintain the exclusion zone of 1.5 km,” the release stated.

The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.

Kick’-em-Jenny Submarine Volcano Alert Levels

GREEN – Volcano is quiescent, seismic and fumarolic (steam vent) activity are at or below the historical level at this volcano. No other unusual activity has been observed.

YELLOW – Volcano is restless; seismicity or fumarolic activity or both are above the historical level at this volcano or other unusual activity has been observed (this activity will be specified at the time that the alert level is raised).

ORANGE – Highly elevated level of seismicity or fumarolic activity or both, or other highly unusual symptoms. Eruption may occur with less than 24 hours-notice.

RED – Eruption is in progress or may occur without further warning.

“The most recent eruption of Kick-’em-Jenny occurred in April 2017 with an instrumentally recorded unrest period in 2018,” the UWI Seismic Research Centre says on its website.