La Soufriere volcano erupted on Friday morning on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and is still anxious and continues to spew ash and smoke for miles into the air. Thousands of people fled their homes because of the blast. Cruise ships were used to expel the islanders.
The volcano erupted on Friday morning for the first time since 1979. La Soufrière released ash and dark smoke more than 6 km into the air. Ash was also found at the international airport about 20 km from the volcano. Neighboring Barbados should also take ash rain into account.
The explosions were recorded throughout Friday. According to the research center that deals with volcanic activity on the island, earthquakes can last for weeks or months. “This is just the beginning,” said Eroskila Joseph of the seismic center.
Scientists first saw increased volcanic activity at La Soufriere in December and expected an eruption by then.
Saint Vincent is the largest island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. About 100,000 people live there. The country’s prime minister has ordered the evacuation of more than 16,000 residents living in the “red” areas.
The eruption of La Soufriere volcano in 1902, killing more than a thousand people. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, like other countries in the Lesser Antilles, are located on a volcanic arc in the eastern Caribbean.
