As the new lava dome at St Vincent’s La Soufrière further rises, scientists at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) are noting its exponential growth.

The SRC, in an update on Wednesday (February 3) said the new lava dome now towers 93 metres from the floor of the La Soufrière crater, with the continuing effusive eruption expelling 5.93 million cubic metres of lava to date.

As at Monday, the SRC team additionally recorded the fledgeling lava dome’s estimated length (511 metres) and width (231 metres). The threat alert for La Soufrière remains at ‘orange’ and the public is urged not to visit the volcano.

For its part, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), in its Tuesday update to the nation, said that the research team successfully completed multi-gas measurements, among other activities.

“These gas measurements will be used to understand what is happening deep within the volcano as gases are coming to the surface faster than magma. This can be used as an early warning system,” NEMO noted.

“Additional reflectors for the Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) target were installed today, bringing the total number of reflectors installed to nine. These reflectors will be used to assist with measurements of deformation associated with the flanks of the volcano,” the agency added.

See related coverage on La Soufrière below:

• CODE ORANGE: St Vincent on alert as volcanic activity increases on La Soufrière
• OECS countries ‘on standby’ in event of volcanic crises in St Vincent, Martinique
• New La Soufrière lava dome grows steadily; St Vincent still on orange alert
• Seismic stations installed on La Soufrière; new lava dome further balloons