The volcano alert for La Soufriere has been changed from Orange to Yellow
The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, on the advice of Scientists from the Seismic Research Centre, University of the West Indies, has decided to lower the Volcanic Alert Level from Orange to Yellow.
NEMO says activities at the La Soufriere have declined for the last three months and are consistent with a period of unrest following eruptive magmatic activity (explosive eruption), which the emission can see of hot, degassing, near-surface magma at the summit of the volcano.
A YELLOW alert means that the Volcano is still restless: seismic or fumarolic activity or both are above the historical level at the volcano but have reduced significantly since the last eruption on April 22, 2021.
The lowering of the Volcano Alert Level to Yellow means that all residents who previously evacuated can now return to their homes; this includes residents of the communities of Point and Fancy.
All persons in emergency shelters should return to their homes by September 20, 2021, once it is habitable.
Access to the volcano remains off-limit as hot gases are still being emitted, and hot rocks are possible at the surface. The landscape leading to the summit has changed significantly since the eruptions making it extremely difficult to maintain one's footing, resulting in injuries.
Lahars (floodwaters mixed with ash, other volcanic materials, mud, debris, and rocks) and heavy steaming/degassing will continue for some time during periods of heavy rainfall.
Residents and motorists in areas close to the volcano and persons traversing rivers and streams during periods of heavy rainfall should always remain vigilant.
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