The results of some of the tasks carried out during the trip to the summit of the La Soufriere Volcano on
Monday 1st February 2021 are as follows:
1. Some gas measurements were done on Monday using a Multi-Gas Instrument and a filter pack.
The Multi-Gas measurements were successful and showed the presence of Sulfur dioxide (SO2 gas coming out of the volcano.
The filter packs used to measure gas species such as hydrogen
chloride (HCl), Hydrogen fluoride (HF), Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) will
need to be sent abroad for analyses.
2. Monday February 1, 2021 was the first day that Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas was detected in the
eruption.
3. The absence of Sulfur dioxide in the early stages of the eruption was due to the interaction of
sulfur dioxide with the ground water (Sulfur dioxide was dissolving in the ground water.
4. The fact that Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas is now coming out of the volcano suggests that the ground water is drying up.
5. The dome survey produced a volume of 5.93 million cubic meters
6. Observations made of the crater floor suggest that another fire occurred in the north western
region of the crater (to the immediate north of the dome) which affected vegetation on vertical face of the crater
7. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) target was hit from the Chateaubelair area using a total
station on Monday while the team was on the summit.
This is good news for the establishment of the EDM network on the western flank of the volcano. (The EDM Network is used to assist with
measurements of deformation associated with the flanks of the volcano).
8. The National Emergency Management Organisation is reminding the public that no
evacuation order or notice has been issued.
9. NEMO continues to appeal to the public to desist from visiting the La Soufrière Volcano, especially going into the crater, since doing so is extremely dangerous.
10. NEMO will continue to provide regular updates on all activities taking place at La
Soufriere.