The Center for Seismic Research (SRC) at the University of the West Indies (Uwi) in Kingston, Jamaica, expressed concern on Saturday that the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted by the volcano La Soufriere, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, approaches Spain and then reaches Africa and Asia.
According to a warning issued by Uwi observers, when volcanoes release ash, SO2 can be lifted by jet streams and spread across the planet.
Thus, and according to two images of the Copernicus system, which collects atmospheric data since 1979, it is seen that the SO2 released by the volcano, moves across the Atlantic and is already reaching Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and Asia.
The Uwi’s statements come after an observation made at the Volcanic Ash Warning Center in Washington, DC, which indicates that it continues to monitor the presence of ash in the atmosphere, so it regularly issues warnings of these to airlines. .
Regarding the flow of SO2, which reaches an average of 809 tons per day, the most recent warning from the Uwi indicates that the swarm of tremors continues and that the rate of earthquakes decreased significantly on Friday night.
“No tremors have been reported in the past twelve hours,” the SRC said.
The agency also said the volcano produced a new crater, about 900 meters long from north to south of the volcano, and 750 meters from east to west.
“The crater is perceived to be at least 100 meters deep and its center is located in the southwest area of the crater’s cusp crater,” the SRC said.
In turn, he detailed that within this new crater, there are others, but only one can be clearly glimpsed.
Likewise, other fumaroles, identified by their ashes and clouds of smoke, are located in the northern part of the new opening.
The SRC further warned that the volcano “continues to erupt, although the explosive activity appears to have ended so far.”
“Its current pattern of seismic activity could indicate an increase in volcanic lava, but this has not yet been confirmed,” the SRC said in its newsletter on Saturday.
“The explosions, accompanied by falling ashes of varying magnitudes, could restart the shocking future of St. Vincent and its neighboring islands,” the SRC added.
That’s why volcanologist Richard Robertson said that even if nothing happens for a week, but only tremors caused by the eruptions are reported, “we can’t say the activity stopped for several reasons.”
Along the same lines, Robertson advanced that volcanic eruptions are expected to be larger than those that occurred in 1979, but they have only produced a third of the material released by this mountain 42 years ago.
Therefore, he compared the current eruptions with those reported in 1902.
Robertson further warned that the amount of energy this volcano had at the beginning of its eruptions indicates that “it still has enough energy and hopes to expel it.”
“I know people want this to end now, just like me, but the reality is that we will have to fight this situation for a good while,” he admitted.
Therefore, Robertson indicated that the population will have to get used to the panorama of regular explosions.
“What we are sure of is that it will cause damage and destroy a lot of property and land,” Robertson said.
La Soufriere volcano erupted on April 9, three months after “effusive” eruptions.
Meanwhile, Argyle International Airport is expected to resume operations next Monday at 16.00 (20.00 GMT).
That’s why the airport’s chief executive, Corsel Robertson, said the aerodrome has been constantly cleaning up its runways and adjacent areas to receive humanitarian aid flights.
Likewise, the airports in Canouan, Union and Mustique will continue to operate from 09.00 (13.00 GMT) to 17.00 (21.00 GMT), but only receiving special flights with prior permission.
However, James Mitchell Airport in Bequia, Grenadines, will remain closed until next Monday.