The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) of St Vincent and the Grenadines is on alert after confirming reports of multiple volcanic-tectonic earthquakes near La Soufrière on Monday (April 5).

NEMO, in a statement via Facebook, explained that the swarm of tremors was triggered around 7:00 am and strong and frequent enough to be felt in communities as far north as Fancy flanking the active volcano.

The earthquakes are ongoing, the agency added, asking Vincentians to stay tuned to updates on any changes to La Soufrière.

“A swarm of volcano-tectonic earthquakes at the La Soufrière volcano began this morning before 7 am. Several are strong enough to be felt by communities on the flanks of the volcano. We have had reports of earthquakes being felt in Fancy and Sandy Bay. These earthquakes are continuing and we will continue to provide updates on any change in activities at the volcano,” NEMO indicated.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre, also monitoring La Soufrière, gave a breakdown of today’s renewed earthquake swarm.

According to the SRC, the new swarm of volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes began at 6:38 am.

The numbers and magnitudes of these earthquakes increased until about 8:30 am, after which they continued at a fairly steady rate.

“This swarm of volcano-tectonic earthquakes have been located
at a depth around [six kilometres] below the summit of La Soufrière. This is slightly deeper than the volcano-tectonic earthquake activities recorded between the 22nd and 25th of March, which were
located at depths from [three to five kilometres] below the summit,” the SRC said in its 12:00 pm local time bulletin.

The SRC further explained that the largest earthquake occurred at 9:20 am with a magnitude of 3.5 and was felt by residents living close to
the volcano. SRC scientists also acknowledge that other VT earthquakes may have also been felt.

This is the second series of volcanic-tectonic earthquakes being associated with La Soufrière in recent weeks. The first cluster began on March 23, pausing briefly on March 26, according to seismologists.

As of Monday, March 29, NEMO has activated 106 emergency shelters across mainland St Vincent in the event the effusive eruption devolves into an explosive outburst.

The growing new lava dome, created by the ongoing effusive eruption made contact with the 1979 dome on March 27 and continues to increase in size.

“The new dome continues to grow towards the Leeward and Windward sides of the volcano with the most active gas emissions being at the top of the new dome, as well as the contact of the pre-existing 1979 and 2020/21 domes,” the agency said at the time.

The alert level remains unchanged at ‘orange’, however, no public evacuation order or notice has been issued.

(Article was update to include statements from the Seismic Research Centre)