The 1979 La Soufrière Eruption

“All high risk communities must have an emergency plan in case of another volcanic eruption … We must always be prepared to reduce tragedy.” In light of recent reality, this quote from poet-narrator Maxwell “Tajoe” Francis in the animation, means much more in the Caribbean and for similar communities around the world.

The 1979 La Soufrière Eruption is the personal account of Francis who in 1979 experienced a volcanic eruption in his homeland of St Vincent and the Grenadines. North Eleven, was commissioned by the University of West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) to create the animation as part of their Volcano Ready Communities Project. The animation features a caricature of Francis and depicts places on the island.

This public awareness video ends with guidance for eruption preparation. After the video's release in 2020, new magma domes were identified at the La Soufrière; this and other volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean are monitored by the UWI-SRC. In early 2021 the La Soufrière erupted, residents in its proximity were evacuated and to date the eruption has not resulted in the loss of human life. St Vincent and the Grenadines is still on alert, monitoring of seismic activity continues in this ongoing situation.