Volcano observatory quells fears over smoke at Soufrière in Guadeloupe

The Guadeloupe Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (OVSG) has responded to concerns about smoke observed at Soufrière volcano on the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe.

The Observatory in an online post on Friday said many people would have photographed Soufrière in recent days and are wondering about the “smoke”.  

It explained these fumaroles have been present for years and, usually, they are hidden in the clouds and/or driven towards the South-South-West by the Trade Winds.  

The Guadeloupe Volcanological and Seismological Observatory said the fumaroles have been clearly visible in recent days, thanks to exceptional weather conditions. 

It added that in the centre of the summit (not always visible), there is the Tarissan fumarole, while to the right of the summit (to the East) are the fumaroles of Cratère Sud and Gouffre 56.  

Earlier this week, the Observatory in its weekly update said a sequence of volcanic earthquakes began on Tuesday, March 26, at 5 pm local time, in the volcano area. It said 192 earthquakes were recorded with a very low magnitude measuring less than 1, at a depth less than 2.5 kilometres under the summit of the dome of Soufrière.  

No felt earthquakes were reported. The alert level for the volcano remains at Yellow.  

When this update was given the Observatory also responded then to concerns from the public as to whether this sequence of volcanic earthquakes were related to the fumaroles.  

It said: “No it’s not related, we climbed to the summit yesterday and the intensity of the fumaroles has not changed in recent days. On the other hand, we can see the fumaroles very well because the weather conditions are exceptional!” 

Soufrière has been dormant since the 1970s.