Submarine volcano in the Caribbean could erupt
The submarine volcano Kick 'em Jenny is in the Caribbean, about eight kilometers from the coast of Granada. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the area; however, the recent increase in its activity caused the concern of the seismological authorities. Local experts announced the orange alert before the possible eruption, while the government of Granada imposed a zone of exclusion of five kilometers around the Kick 'em Jenny.
According to St. Lucia Times, the orange alert implies the possibility of seismic, fumarolic or other unusual events in the next 24 hours. However, there is no imminent threat. The Seismic Research Center of the University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago) indicated that the main threat of the submarine volcano, known as Kick 'em Jenny, is for navigation. All boats were instructed to respect an exclusion zone of 5 kilometers around the volcano. The center increased its alert level from yellow to orange on Tuesday in the midst of a "substantial" increase in seismic activity. The center also noted that a rash could occur with less than 24 hours notice.
Currently the alert is still in force and the authorities continue to monitor the situation, according to BBC World Oslyn Crosby, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency of Granada. Crosby told that the Seismic Research Center of the West Indies sent information about the activity of the volcano. Richard Robertson, professor of the institution, reported that there were no signs that the increased seismic activity could cause a tsunami and therefore did not represent an imminent danger to the region.
However, the scientist warned that underwater volcanic activity would be able to mobilize large amounts of water. He also stated that the emission of gases could hinder navigation in the area, in particular, on the route between the islands of San Vicente and Granada. The Kick 'em Jenny has erupted at least a dozen times for almost 80 years since it has been recorded. In 1939, the largest eruption of the Kick'em Jenny caused the appearance of an ash cloud 270 meters above the surface of the ocean. The eruptions of the submarine volcano have never caused mortal victims.
Kick-'em-Jenny rises 1.3 kilometers above the sea floor on the steep inner western slope of the Lesser Antilles ridge.