Vice President Kamala D. Harris spoke on Thursday morning (3rd June 2021) to Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), President Andres Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.

In four (4) separate calls, the Vice President notified each of the leaders that the Biden-Harris Administration will begin sharing the first 25 Million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to their respective countries and others, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s framework for sharing at least 80 Million vaccines globally by the end of June.

The Vice President reiterated that the Administration’s efforts are focused on achieving broad global coverage, responding to surges and other urgent situations and public health needs, and helping as many countries as possible who requested vaccines. The four (4) leaders thanked the Vice President, and they agreed to continue working together to address COVID-19 and advance their mutual interests around the World.

This is the very latest in a series of high-level contacts which the Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister Rowley, has been having with high-level Officials of the U.S Administration in recent weeks.

[Source: White House]

According to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), La Soufrière Volcano continued to erupt up to last night (Sunday 18th April 2021). NEMO noted its pattern of seismic activity over the last few days is typical of the growth and destruction of lava domes. “Explosions with accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, can occur with little or no warning.”

There was another explosive eruption at La Soufrière at approximately 4:49pm yesterday afternoon. The resulting eruption plume rose to above 8 Km and drifted to the South and Southwest of the island. The Alert Level remains at RED.

The UWI Seismic Research Centre said that there have been at least thirty (30) identifiable eruptions at La Soufrière since the first one on 9th April 2021.

La Soufrière Scientific Update 19/04/21 - 6am

1. The episode of continuous seismic tremor generated by explosive activity at La Soufrière, lasted until about 9pm on 18th April 2021.

2. Following this, small long-period and hybrid earthquakes started to be recorded again, at a rate similar to before the explosive activity. This rate dropped significantly at about 1am on 19th April 2021.

3. No volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded in the last twelve (12) hours.

4. One (1) rockfall was recorded at 1:39am. Rockfalls can be generated by a growing lava dome, but this cannot be confirmed without visual observations.

5. The continuous GPS (Global Positioning System) network has shown a change in horizontal and vertical movement since the initial depressurization noted immediately following the 9th April 2021 explosive phase.

6. The continuous GPS network is used to track changes in ground shape on and around the Volcano. As magma moves beneath the Volcano, changes in pressure cause the Volcano to change shape (inflate/deflate).

7. These changes may suggest magma influx from deep within the sub-volcanic system, however, more investigation is needed to confirm this interpretation.

8. The Volcano continues to erupt. Its pattern of seismic activity over the last few days is typical of the growth and destruction of lava domes.

9. Explosions with accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, can occur with little or no warning, impacting Saint Vincent and neighbouring islands.

10. The Volcano is at Alert Level RED.

La Soufrière Scientific Update 18/04/21 - 6pm

1. The swarm of long-period and hybrid earthquakes continued at La Soufrière with no significant change in their rate of occurrence.

2. Occasional small Volcano-tectonic earthquakes were still being recorded.

3. An explosion generated a period of high-level tremor starting at 4:49pm on 18th April 2021.

4. The resulting eruption plume rose to above 8 Km and drifted to the South and Southwest of the island.

5. Measurements of Sulphur Dioxide flux (mass) at La Soufrière Volcano were again undertaken along the West coast yesterday and today.

6. An average SO2 flux of 232 and 391 Tons per day on 17th and 18th April 2021 respectively, was recorded.

7. The Volcano continues to erupt. Its pattern of seismic activity over the last few days is typical of the growth and destruction of lava domes.

8. Explosions with accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger size, can occur with little or no warning, impacting Saint Vincent and neighbouring islands.

9. The Volcano is at Alert Level RED.

The latest update from UWI Seismic Research Centre at 6am this morning (Thursday 15th April 2021) notes that La Soufrière Volcano continues to erupt explosively and generate Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs). These are hot (200°C - 700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris.

The Volcano’s current pattern of explosions appears to be episodic (stop-start) with increasing periods between eruptions and less
energy. The scene in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has been described as resembling a “battle zone” since the first eruption of La Soufrière Volcano on 9th April 2021.

According to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), nearly 7,000 persons are in shelters across SVG as of 10pm last night - 4,117 in public shelters and 2,875 in private shelters.

Meanwhile, health authorities in SVG are concerned about a possible outbreak of COVID-19 in evacuation centers.

La Soufrière Scientific Update 15/04/21 - 6am

1. Seismic activity at La Soufrière continued to follow the established pattern with bands of tremor about between thirteen (13) and fifteen (15) hours apart separated by swarms of small long-period earthquakes.

2. The latest band of tremor started at about 2:30am and was associated with increased venting.

3. The Volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate Pyroclastic Density Currents - hot (200°C - 700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris.

4. Its current pattern of explosions appears to be episodic (stop-start) with increasing periods between eruptions and less energy.

5. Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days impacting Saint Vincent and neighbouring islands.

6. The Volcano is at alert level Red.

La Soufrière Scientific Update 14/04/21 - 6pm

1. Seismic activity at La Soufrière, Saint Vincent continued to follow the pattern established yesterday.

2. Bands of tremor about fourteen (14) hours apart, separated by swarms of small, long-period (LP) earthquakes.

3. The latest band of tremor occurred at about 11:35am and, as before, was associated with an episode of explosive activity.

4. The explosions produced were gas-rich and did not rise as energetically as previous explosions.

5. No Pyroclastic Density Currents were produced.

6. The Volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate Pyroclastic Density Currents.

7. Its current pattern of explosions appears to be episodic (stop-and-go) with longer periods between explosions and less energy.

8. Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days.

Another large explosion occurred at La Soufrière Volcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at approximately 10:48pm last night (Tuesday 13th April 2021). Pyroclastic flows were observed heading down the Eastern side of La Soufrière.

​Pyroclastic flows (aka Pyroclastic Density Currents - PDCs) or surges are NOT lava flows, according to UWI Seismic Research Centre. They are moving mixtures of ash, rock fragments and produced by an gas eruption. They travel down valleys and cause total devastation.

To commemorate its 42nd anniversary yesterday since the 1979 eruption, La Soufrière had another explosive episode, beginning at 6:30am.

Get out if you can, Professor Richard Robertson told residents in the Red Zone to “get out of you can” this morning, in view of the pyroclastic flows which have been heading towards the East. “It's not a good way to go,” he warned. “Don't put others at risk. Now is the chance.”

Meanwhile, SVG Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, told people this morning who are still in La Soufriere's Red Zone, “For heaven's sake, leave. Do not risk anymore of your life and limb."

La Soufrière Scientific Update 14/04/21 - 6am

1. Seismic activity at La Soufrière, Saint Vincent showed a similar pattern to yesterday.

2. Small long-period earthquakes continued to gradually increase in number after the explosive activity at 6:30am on 13th April 2021.

3. These continued until another episode of explosive activity started at 8:30pm on 13th April 2021.

4. This generated continuous seismic tremor which lasted for four (4) to five (5) hours.

5. After the tremor had died down, small, long-period earthquakes were again recorded, again slowly growing in numbers.

6. The explosions which occurred pulsed for >40 minutes and produced Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs) which appear to have gone down valleys that drain towards the Rabacca River on the East coast of the island.

7. PDCs are hot (200°C - 700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris.

8. Lahars (mudflows) were reported in the Sandy Bay Area on 13th April 2021.

9. The Volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs).

10. Its current pattern of explosions appears to be episodic (stop-and-go).

11. Over the past twenty-four (24) hours, the time between each explosion has increased.

12. Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days impacting Saint Vincent and neighbouring islands such as Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia.

13. The Volcano is at alert level Red.

14. Visit the International Volcanic Hazard Health Network for volcanic ash information resources: www.ivhhn.org/information.

La Soufrière Scientific Update 13/04/21 - 6pm

1. Seismic activity changed with the explosive activity at 6:30am on 13th April 2021. Prior to the explosion, long-period (LP) earthquakes had been increasing in number.

2. Categorized as a Vulcanian explosion, it was accompanied by larger seismic tremor which was followed by over three (3) hours of smaller continuous seismic tremor.

3. Vulcanian explosions are small to moderate explosive eruptions, lasting seconds to minutes. Ash columns can be up to 20 Km in height and Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs) can be generated.

4. The explosions pulsed for ~30 minutes and produced PDCs that reached the sea at the mouth of the Wallibou approximately 6 Km from the Volcano.

5. Once this tremor had died down, LP earthquakes were recorded, again slowly growing in numbers, but are significantly smaller than those prior to the 6:30am explosion.

6. Eyewitness account of this flow indicated that it had extended further into the sea when it reached the coastline.

7. Observations made this afternoon from the coastline indicate that PDCs resulting from this morning and have reached the sea in every valley extending from Larikai to Wallibou.

8. The Volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs). Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days.

The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) is advising the public that with the ongoing eruption at the La Soufrière Volcano in Saint Vincent, there are still no official, confirmed reports of ash in Trinidad and Tobago.

In its second official statement, released today (Tuesday 13th April 2021), the Met Office said the wind regime is changing and the plume is migrating to the East of our islands, but in the upper layers of the atmosphere. The probability of ashfall is still low (20%) but there can be the presence of very fine ash particles within the next thirty-six (36) to forty-eight (48) hours in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Met Office notes that this ash may not be highly discernable as there is still a moderate concentration of Saharan dust in our atmosphere. Despite this, the TTMS maintains that all precautionary measures should be taken by the relevant stakeholders and persons with health concerns. “We will continue to closely monitor this and any related weather phenomena which may affect Trinidad and Tobago and will issue any warranted alerts in a timely manner.”

Forty-two (42) years ago today in 1979, La Soufrière Volcano erupted in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). To commemorate its 42nd anniversary, La Soufrière had another explosive episode this morning (Tuesday 13th April 2021), beginning at 6:30am.

​According to Professor Richie Robertson, the latest explosion is not as energetic as previous ones. The Professor notes that classic Vulcanian eruptions are possible over the next few days. There was a huge explosion at La Soufrière yesterday morning at 4:15am. Dome collapse and pyroclastic flows were observed along the valleys on the Eastern and Western coast.

​Pyroclastic flows (aka Pyroclastic Density Currents - PDCs) or surges are NOT lava flows, according to UWI Seismic Research Centre. They are moving mixtures of ash, rock fragments and produced by an gas eruption. They travel down valleys and cause total devastation.

Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, revealed this morning that there are still a number of persons who refuse to evacuate.

​The scene in SVG has been described as resembling a “battle zone” since the first eruption of La Soufrière Volcano on Friday (9th April 2021).

La Soufrière Scientific Update 13/04/21 - 6am

NOTE: This update was prepared prior to an explosion which occurred at 6:30am local time.

1. Seismic activity at La Soufrière, Saint Vincent continued the pattern established yesterday, with short bands of continuous seismic tremor interspersed with long-period earthquakes.

2. Following the latest band of tremor, at 1:30am, the long-period earthquakes have steadily become more frequent.

3. Audible venting was heard associated with some periods of tremor and long-period earthquake activity.

4. The Volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate pyroclastic density currents - hot (200°C - 700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris.

5. Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days impacting Saint Vincent and neighbouring islands.

6. The Volcano is at alert level Red.

7. Visit the International Volcanic Hazard Health Network for information and resources on living with Volcanic ash - www.ivhhn.org/information.

La Soufrière Scientific Update 12/04/21 - 6pm

1. The pattern of seismic activity changed again, with the end of the episodes of high-amplitude tremor, two (2) - eight (8) hours apart.

2. Three (3) episodes of tremor have been recorded since 6am, two (2) of them lower-amplitude and the third, at about 5pm, was high-amplitude.

3. The episodes continue to coincide with periods of enhanced venting or explosive activity.

4. A reconnaissance of the entire north coast of Saint Vincent from Chateaubelair to Georgetown with assistance from the Coast Guard.

5. Observations made indicate that Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs) had descended several valleys on the Southern and Western flanks of the Volcano and had reached the sea at Morne
Ronde, Larikai and Trois Loupes Bay.

6. Extensive damage to vegetation was noted in an area extending from Larikai Bay to Turner Bay on the West coast.

7. No other areas along the coast had been affected by PDCs but villages located on the Eastern flank of the Volcano had been
affected by heavy ashfall.

8. Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days with the chance of PDCs occurring.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.