Given its extraordinary nature and proclivity for hurling scorching avalanches of highly pressurized poisonous gases and rubble down its hillsides, the volcano eruption of La Soufrière on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent has not claimed any life. Even if the explosion concludes with no casualties, it is readily evident that a significant amount of damage has been already inflicted.
Since the explosions started on April 9, its people have been almost continually bombarded with ash. According to a Bloomberg article, the ashfall might cost the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines half of its total GDP. The volcanic eruption of La Soufrière on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent has not deprived anyone of their lives, despite its explosive nature and its propensity toward sending hot avalanches of superheated noxious gases and debris down its slopes. But even if the eruption ends and no deaths are ultimately recorded, it’s abundantly clear that a profound amount of harm has already been done.
Since the explosions began on April 9, its people have been almost continually bombarded with ashes. As per Bloomberg, the ashfall might cost the island nation country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 50% of its total GDP.
The volcano ash has created a great deal of emotional trauma due to the bleak appearance of the sun vanishing below layers of darkness. However, it has also caused roof collapses, power failures, and significant water contamination. It is believed that the damage to infrastructure totaled $150 million.
Agriculture collapse causes another $150 million in harm. Many agriculture farms on the volcano’s slopes have been completely devastated, with 80 percent of the root crops, ninety percent of their forest plantations, and 99 percent of their vegetables harvests crushed beyond recovery.
After so many weeks of intense explosive activity, the explosion seems to be quieting off a little. If it continues that manner, a huge if, given that eruptions might restart at any time—it will be a pleasant change for the island’s 110,000 population.
Researchers were able to alert the authorities on April 8 (a day before the explosions started) with tangible confidence that something dreadful was on its way: primarily, a gas-rich tranche of molten rock capable of putting what was a continuous, ebullient, lava dome-forming outbreak into a massive explosion. Approximately 20,000 people started fleeing to the area’s south or by ferry to other locations, residing in the shade of the mountain in the island’s northern parts.
The evacuation was essential and it undoubtedly saved precious lives. However, the spread of volcanic ash continues to be a very persistent problem, not only for the entire effected island but also to the island’s northern areas where the ash settles down.
In fact, according to Camillo Gonsalves, the country’s Minister for finance, damage to the northern part of the island is “apocalyptic” and it has become almost unrecognizable in the wake of the dreadful volcanic explosions.
Countries both close and those more away, as well as members of the Caribbean immigrants dispersed across the world, have been proposing monetary and logistical care. A U.N. sponsored fundraising effort has recently begun. However, the simultaneous financial cuts produced by the coronavirus and the La Soufrière volcano are profound and will probably take a long time to mend.
