DEM monitoring updates on Kick ‘em Jenny volcano

Increased seismic activity at the Kick ‘em Jenny submarine volcano near Grenada since Friday, February 9, has placed disaster management officials on alert.

However, there is no immediate danger to Barbados as alert levels remain at yellow, despite the increased activity, with the largest seismic activity being recorded yesterday, Saturday, February 10.

Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds, said the DEM was closely monitoring updates on the volcano in conjunction with officials from the Seismic Research Centre based in Trinidad.

She explained that a yellow alert meant that all marine interests should maintain the exclusion zone of 1.5 km.

A yellow alert also signals that the volcano is restless; seismicity or fumarolic activity or both are above the historical level, or other unusual activity has been observed.

The DEM Director advised persons, particularly mariners, to pay close attention to updates over the coming days and to exercise all precautions when sailing along the area.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to do so until the situation no longer requires it,” Hinds stated.

She emphasised that there was currently no tsunami threat to Barbados and stressed that official advisories on the volcano would be issued through the DEM and the Barbados Government Information Service.

(BGIS)