A third explosive eruption began at La Soufriere in St Vincent on Friday evening, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) reported.
The latest of the three events that have occurred within a 10-hour period was recorded around 6:35 p.m. It followed one at 2:45 p.m., which came after the first at 8:41 a.m.
All three explosive eruptions have sent thick ash plumes thousands of feet into the sky and resulted in ash falls in parts of the country as well as other islands in the Caribbean.
“As explosive eruptions continue at La Soufriere, volcano ash fall will be a pervasive hazard throughout St Vincent and is expected to reach neighbouring islands such as Barbados. Volcanic ash is not necessarily deadly but can lead to respiratory problems and may also impact vehicles and plane engines,” the UWI-SRC team said.
After the first eruption on Friday morning, lead scientist Professor Richard Robertson, put Vincentians on notice that more eruptions would likely follow.
“We won’t be surprised if this continues for the next few days, the next few weeks,” he said.
Evacuations from red zone areas, in the northeast and northwest of the island, which began late Thursday evening, are continuing.
A total of 20,000 are to be evacuated from the hazard spots.
Some will remain in St Vincent in shelters, hotels, guest houses and private residences in the safe zones, while others will be accommodated in neighbouring islands.
CMC
