Explosive eruption of Le Soufriere
Le Soufriere, a dormant volcano for 42 years first started showing volcanic activity in December eruption with an explosion which has blanketed the Caribbean Island of St Vincent in ash and smoke and triggered a mass evacuation. A lava dome became visible on La Soufriere, and just before 9:00 on Friday ( 13:00 GMT) seismologists from the University of the West Indies confirmed that an “explosive eruption” was underway.
On Thursday Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves urged more than 16, 000 residents in the “red zones” to evacuate immediately. Evacuees were taken to cruise ships and safer parts of the island. One eyewitness said he saw “ a huge ball of smoke” which created panic when people were first ordered to evacuate. Some evacuation procedures were hindered by heavy ash fall m which made visibility extremely poor.
The volcano has since spewed dark ash plums 3.7 miles ( 6km) into the air, Some ashfall has been recorded as far from the volcano as Argyle International airport, 20km away, according to St Vincent’s National Emergency Management Organisation (Nemo).
The last eruption, in 1989, caused more than £73m ($100m) damage on the island. But the worst eruption on record in 1902 which killed more than 1000 people.
Local media also reported increased activity from Mount Pelee on the island of Martinique, North of St Vincent.
In 1498 Christopher Columbus visits the main island on St Vincent’s Day, In 1627 St Vincent granted to Britain’s Lord Carlisle.
In 1783 Treaty of Versailles recognises St Vincent as a British colony. Between 1795-97, Britain with French support deports 5, 000 caribs to Belize following an uprising. 1812 recorded the first eruption of La Soufriere resulting in several casualties. In 18 34 Slavery, abolished forcing plantation owners to free more than 18, 000 slaves, foreign labourers indentured. 1902, killed 2, 000 people with the second eruption of La Soufriere. In 1951, St Vincent granted universal adult suffrage. Between 1958-62 St Vincent became a member of a British-sponsored West Indies Federation. In 1969, St Vincent was granted internal self-government, with Britain retaining responsibility for foreign and defence affairs. In 1979 October Milton Cato of the centre-left St Vincent Labour Party (SVLP) became prime minister of independent St Vincent and the Grenadines. In 1984 James Mitchell becomes prime minister after his centre-right New Democratic Party (NDP) wins a surprising victory in the general election and in 1989, Mitchell returned to office after his NDP won all parliamentary seats. In 1994 and 1998 Mitchell and the NDP won the office for the third and fourth time respectively. In 2000, Mitchell resigns and his succeeded by his finance minister Arniham Eustace. In 2001 March Opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves becomes prime minister. In 2005 Prime minister Ralph Gonsalves and his, Unity Labour Party win a second term in general elections.