Overall Orange alert Volcanic eruption for Soufriere St. Vincent
in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Event summary

ORANGE alert: The Soufriere St. Vincent Volcanic eruption is unlikely to require external humanitarian assistance based on the exposed population and coping capacity.

GDACS ID VO 1000020
Name: Soufriere St. Vincent (360150)
Glide number: VO-2021-000034-VCT
Lat/Lon: 13.33 , -61.18
Event Date: 23 Apr 2021 UTC
Exposed Population 30km: About 94000 people within 30km
Exposed Population 100km: About 270000 people within 100km
Max Volc. Explosivity Index VEI: 4
Population Exposure Index PEI: 4
Inserted at: 23 Apr 2021 09:31 UTC

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Virtual OSOCC
Meteo assessment
Satellite products
Analytical products
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Volcanic eruption (ECHO 12 Apr 2021)Mon, 12 Apr 2021 16:27

  • La Soufrière volcano on Saint Vincent Island continues its activity which started on 9 April. Episodes of tremor associated with periods of explosive activity or enhanced venting of the volcano have been recorded as of 11 April. Ash fall was reported over most parts of Saint Vincent and in neighbouring islands of the Grenadines, Barbados and Saint Lucia.
  • According to the UN OCHA and media reports, approximately 16,000 – 20,000 people are likely to be displaced, approximately 30 villages evacuated and 85 shelters had been activated in Saint Vincent. A massive power outage, following an explosive event, occurred on the island on 11 April.
  • Approximately 137 active COVID-19 cases have been notified, vaccinations are underway for evacuees. Health Care Facilities in the red and orange zones have been evacuated.
  • Furthermore, airports in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were temporarily closed. According to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), the aviation colour stands red.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated on 9 April to provide satellite maps .
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 13 Apr 2021)Tue, 13 Apr 2021 16:36

  • A new huge explosion of La Soufriere volcano occurred on 12 April at 8.15 UTC. Deadly pyroclastic flows descending through the flanks of the volcano have been reported, however it is still unknown how far and where exactly the flows may moved.
  • An estimated number of approximately 110, 589 people in Saint Vincent are affected, as well as an unquantified number of people in neighbouring islands.
  • According to the national authorities, the evacuation process is still underway and the alert level of the volcano stands at red. So far, approximately 18% of the population has been evacuated, including 3,200 persons in public shelters.
  • Extensive damage to assets and livelihoods (fisheries, agriculture) has also been reported compounding the ongoing adverse socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • On 12 April, the Embassy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Brussels requested assistance through the Emergency Response and Coordination Centre (ERCC) consisting of financial and in-kind assistance for the affected population. The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) has been activated.
Volcano Soufriere St. Vincent - Copernicus EMS activation (EMSR509)Fri, 09 Apr 2021 19:26

EMSR509: Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 14 Apr 2021)Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:45

  • The explosive activity of La Soufriere volcano has been continuing for the past 24 hours and the alert level stands at red. According to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), pyroclastic flows have been reported through the eastern flank of the volcano.
  • The emergency operations are still ongoing and 3,880 people have been evacuated in 87 public shelters. In addition, 2,000 displaced people are hosted in private accommodations.
  • The National Emergency Operations Centre continues to be fully functional.
  • The European Commission’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated on 9 April to support the damage assessment and two maps have been produced so far. 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 15 Apr 2021)Thu, 15 Apr 2021 04:00

  • Evacuations are ongoing on Saint Vincent Island, following the continuous volcanic activity of La Soufrière volcano. Pyroclastic flows have been observed, moving towards the Rabacca River on the east coast of the island.
  • According to UN OCHA, 4,021 individuals have been evacuated to 89 shelters, whilst 2,045 people have sought shelter with family and friends. All traffic air was interrupted and only maritime connections are possible. 
  • Four of the eight seismic stations were lost, and new seismic stations will be installed when it is safe, as reported by UN OCHA. According to media, ashfall from the eruptions has been reported in southern Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Barbados.
  • The European Commission’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated () on 9 April to support the damage assessment and three maps have been produced so far. 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 22 Apr 2021)Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:11

  • Seismic activity at La Soufrière volcano continued over the past 24 hours, following the explosive phase of 18 April. In addition, lahar and rockfalls have been recorded across the south-eastern side of the volcano.
  • According to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), the emergency operations are still ongoing and 6,592 displaced people have been evacuated in 85 public shelters and 6,711 people are hosted in private buildings.
  • The authorities maintain the alert level of the volcano at red.
  • The European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated on 9 April to support the damage assessment and six maps have been produced so far.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Volcanic eruption update (ECHO 30 Apr 2021)Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:00

  • Heavy rainfall has been reported across Saint Vincent Island, causing lahars (mud and debris flow), compounding the situation in areas already affected by the eruptions of La Soufriere volcano (northern Saint Vincent).
  • According to media reports, several lahar flows were recorded on all flanks of the volcano, resulting in damage to a number of houses and road infrastructure.
  • In addition, flooding has been reported across Kingstown Capital City (southern Saint Vincent).
  • According to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), a total of 13,303 persons have been displaced to public or private shelters due to volcanic activity, as of 26 April. The volcano continues to be at alert level Red.
  • The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has issued alerts for flooding and landslides in several areas on mainland Saint Vincent. Light to locally moderate rainfall could affect the island on 30 April - 1 May.
Detailed event map. European Union, 2024. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Updates on volcanic activity (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report provides information about global volcanism on a weekly basis. Latest Soufriere St. Vincent report has been published on 21 Apr 2021 08:56.
University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) and National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) reported that the explosive eruption at Soufri?re St. Vincent (often simply referred to as ?La Soufriere?) continued during 14-20 April, though at a decreasing frequency. Explosions and pyroclastic flows were reported on 13 April, as well as lahars in the Sandy Bay area. During 14 April seismicity continued to be characterized by episodes of tremor, about 13-15 hours apart, separated by swarms of small, long-period (LP) earthquakes. An episode of tremor that began at 1135 was associated with increased explosive activity, though the emissions were gas rich and less energetic than previous events. Another episode of tremor began at 0230 on 15 April along with increased venting. Almost constant swarms of long-period and hybrid events were recorded through the day, punctuated by three brief episodes (less than 30 minutes) of low-level tremor. An episode of tremor began at 2100 and lasted 40 minutes, and was possibly associated with a minor increase in venting. For the first time sulfur dioxide emissions were successfully measured by ground-based instruments; scientists recorded 809 tons per day from a Coast Guard boat along the W coast. Periods of tremor and near-constant swarms of LP and hybrid events were recorded on 16 April. An explosion at 0615 on 16 April generated an ash plume that rose about 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. A three-minute period of high-level tremor started at the same time and was flowed by over two hours of lower-level tremor. Sulfur dioxide emissions were again measured from the W coast, yielding a flux of 460 tons per day. The rate of LP and hybrid events dropped significantly at 2000. Sulfur dioxide plumes reached India. Occasional satellite images of the summit showed a series of changes to the new crater, centered in the SW part of the summit crater. By 17 April an Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris scientist reported that the crater was about 900 m N to S, at least 750 m E to W, and about 100 m deep based on RADAR data. Several vents were either visible or inferred from points of emissions. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 232 and 391 tons per day on 17 and 18 April, respectively. A period of high tremor began at 1649 on 18 April. An explosion produced an ash plume that rose to 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and SW. This explosion occurred 52 hours after the last one and was the 30th since the explosive phase started. The period of tremor lasted until about 2100 and was followed by ongoing small LP and hybrid events. The rates of those events dropped again, at around 0100 on 19 April. One rockfall was detected by the seismic network at 0139, and two were noted the next day. At 0400 on 20 April a lahar was detected by the seismic network and lasted for 30 minutes; it possibly traveled down the SE flank. During 15-19 April NEMO reported details about the people that have evacuated. The total number of displaced people was 12,775 by 19 April, with 6,208 people in 85 public shelters and 6,567 people (1,800 families) in private shelters. There were no casualties caused by the eruption. Sources: Advanced geospatial Data Management Platform (ADAM) ,National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC)
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Latest media headlines

Saint Vincent, l'isola coperta dalla cenere ora teme l'uragano 4/26/2021 5:32:00 PM.

L’isola di Saint Vincent, Caraibi orientali, è sommersa dalla cenere. Uno strato grigio, compatto come cemento, la soffoca. Due settimane di eruzioni del vulcano La Soufrière (4 mila metri di altezza) hanno completamente cambiato il profilo
...(more)
Saint Vincent, l'isola coperta dalla cenere ora teme l'uragano 4/26/2021 5:31:00 PM.

L’isola di Saint Vincent, Caraibi orientali, è sommersa dalla cenere. Uno strato grigio, compatto come cemento, la soffoca. Due settimane di eruzioni del vulcano La Soufrière (4 mila metri di altezza) hanno completamente cambiato il profilo
...(more)
Saint Vincent, l'isola coperta dalla cenere ora teme l'uragano 4/26/2021 5:19:00 PM.

L’isola di Saint Vincent, Caraibi orientali, è sommersa dalla cenere. Uno strato grigio, compatto come cemento, la soffoca. Due settimane di eruzioni del vulcano La Soufrière (4 mila metri di altezza) hanno completamente cambiato il profilo
...(more)
Report: St. Vincent’s Devastating Eruption May Cut Nation’s Economy In.. 4/26/2021 2:49:00 PM.

The United Nations launched an appeal on April 20, 2021 for donations of more than $29 million to help Saint. Vincent and the Grenadines following several devastating volcanic eruptions that have turned the landscape of the Caribbean nation
...(more)

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Estimated casualties (PAGER)

USGS estimates the number of casualties for each earthquake for the Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) product.
The graph shows the current fatalities estimate.

Exposed population

Analytical products

Daily Maps:

28/Apr/2021 06:08 UTC

Data, images, links, services and documents

For this events, GDACS has links to information from the following sources: UNOSAT (1), EMSR (2), EC-JRC (32), (2), INGV (2), INFORM (2), WMO (1), JSR (1),