The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) wishes to assure all citizens and residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that there is no cause for alarm regarding the La Soufriere volcano. Recent images and reports of visible steaming from the crater have raised concerns among the public,as well as complaints of the smell of sulfur but residents are asked not to panic as the volcano is NOT erupting.
According to a social media release from NEMO, the steaming is a natural result of extremely hot rocks inside the crater coming into contact with water. This interaction is a normal process following volcanic eruptions and may continue for years, if not decades, as the rocks gradually cool. The Soufriere Monitoring Unit (SMU) team continues its routine observations, ensuring that the volcano is being closely monitored.
Michelle Forbes, Director of NEMO, commented, “There is no unusual seismic activity at the volcano, and our data shows that everything is stable. The steaming is part of a long-term process, and the public should not be alarmed by these visuals.”
NEMO continues to maintain active monitoring of the La Soufriere volcano through its seismic stations and other equipment. The organization remains vigilant and prepared to provide timely updates to the public as necessary.