Volcano Alert!: Grenada and Environs

[Geoff S.]

This email today forwarded by TTSA from Massey in Port of Spain:

The undersea volcano to the north of Grenada (Kick Em Jenny) is currently at ALERT LEVEL ORANGEdue to increased seismic activity:

ORANGE is described below -
·Highly elevated level of seismic and/or fumarolic activity or other unusual activity. Eruption may begin with less than twenty-four hours notice.
·All regional governments alerted through Disaster Coordinators and Venezuelan diplomatic missions. - Sauteurs Observatory continuously manned. - Continuous communication with NERO. (GRENADA and St. Vincent and the Grenadines). - Summit area under continuous visual surveillance. - Scientists and emergency personnel within exclusion zones maintain continuous contact with the Observatory.
·Vulnerable communities advised of evacuation routes and transport put on standby. - Local radio stations in Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados and Trinidad placed on alert. - Public listens to local radio continuously for updates and visits the Seismic Research Unit website if possible. -All shipping stays outside the first exclusion zone (1.5km from the summit). - Non-essential shipping (pleasure craft etc) stays 5km clear of the summit (second exclusion zone). - Visiting scientists who are not taking part in essential monitoring are regarded as non-essential.

ALL PERSONS WITH MARINE INTEREST ARE TO NOTE THE ZONE OF EXCLUSION AND COOPERATE WITH AUTHORITIES WHO ARE MONITORING THIS ACTIVITY.
Further information can be sought here: http://uwiseismic.com/NewsDetails.aspx?id=365

In light of this, please ensure ALL Marine Interests are notified of this development as this situation continues to be monitored. Additionally please ensure all evacuation/business disruption plans are updated and communicated to all employees.

This is critical for businesses in the following locations:

1.St. Vincent & The Grenadines (southern and western coastlines)
2.Barbados (northern and western coastlines)
3.Trinidad & Tobago (northern & western coastlines)

I will continue to keep abreast of this development and communicate as is required.

Regards,

Marise Kelly Johncilla
Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Coordinator | HSSE Department

1st Floor, Uptown Mall
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, W.I
T 1 868 625 3426 ext 2195
F 1 868 625 3720
M 1 868 792 7414
www.massygroup.com

“One Group, One Family, ALL Safety”

[poiu]

To be taken with respect. Not a case of being over conservative. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the region.

[Jeff Bird]

Not to make make too light of the situation but, cue the Jimmy Buffett song.

[Jerry Woodward]

I was wondering what the potential dangers would be from a volcanic eruption 600 feet below the surface. This site makes fascinating reading:

The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre

[Jeff Bird]

Yes, good reading. Lowered water density is something that you'd not imagine happening. But does.

[sailon46]

Sailed by it on the way to Cariacou, Tiller Bay from Grenada just before last Christmas and saw some water boiling through the binoculars. It is something to be respected and avoided. I also sailed last March by Monserat, after you see the destruction there and in St Pierre Martinique you will learn to sail quickly out of there with impeding volcanic activity.