The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) through the technical support provided by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre in Port–of–Spain, Trinidad, advises that due to increased activities of the Kick ’em Jenny Volcano, the alert level has been raised from Yellow to ORANGE.
With this increase in the alert level, ships and other marine operators are asked to observe the exclusion zone of 5 km / 3.1 miles.
NaDMA in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center will continue to monitor the activities of Kick ’em Jenny and will update the public as necessary.
NaDMA, the official source for all disaster-related information in Grenada.
Grenada – Kick ’em Jenny Alert Levels
Monitoring and Alert Levels
The Seismic Research Centre has established a monitoring network and warning system specifically for Kick ’em Jenny. The main purpose of this is to provide warning to shipping in the vicinity. It is not a tsunami warning system. Since tsunamis travel very rapidly, by the time one has been generated it is already too late to issue a warning. Furthermore, tsunamis are only generated by big eruptions, and such eruptions take time to build up. The monitoring system is therefore designed to detect premonitory symptoms before the eruption begins, and to allow scientists to judge whether an eruption is building up to a stage where a tsunami could be generated. In this way vulnerable communities will be given warning prior to a large eruption, enabling them to evacuate to higher ground.
Recent upgrades in the monitoring system have resulted in a strong network of monitoring equipment surrounding the volcano as well as the development of a small, dedicated volcano observatory on nearby Grenada. This upgrade was made possible through a grant from the Caribbean Development Bank. The monitoring system includes a network of seismometers (to detect earthquakes), tide gauges (to detect water disturbances), hydrophones (to detect submarine explosions) and tiltmeters and GPS stations (to detect ground deformation). Various combinations of these instruments are installed at Sauteurs, the Sisters rocks, Isle de Ronde, Isle de Caille and Carriacou (see figure below).
Alert Level System
At any given time, the alert level reflects the status of the volcano. The alert levels for volcanoes in the Commonwealth Caribbean are set by a committee which consists of the professional scientific staff of the Seismic Research Centre although we often consult with other scientists with special knowledge of this region. Governments with responsibility for the volcano in question are consulted before the alert level is changed but this may not always be possible as alert levels may change very rapidly. For example the Soufriere of St Vincent went from mild premonitory activity to full-scale eruption in less than 18 hours in 1979.
The table below outlines the alert levels for Kick ’em Jenny ONLY. Alert levels for volcanoes on land are defined slightly differently. Kick ’em Jenny is neither visible nor audible until it is in full eruption so that one of the most useful volcanic monitoring techniques — visible inspection — is not possible. Kick ’em Jenny has been in a state of continuous low-level activity since 1939 at least and it can be dangerous to spend time directly over the volcano.
Alert Levels for Kick ’em Jenny Volcano
| Alert Level | Symptoms | Action by Scientists | Recommended action by Civil Authorities and the Public |
| GREEN | Volcano is quiet. Seismicity and fumarolic (steam vent) activity are below the historical level at the volcano. No other unusual activity detected. |
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| YELLOW | Volcano is restless: seismicity and/or fumarolic activity are above the historical level or other unusual activity has been observed or can be expected without warning. |
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| ORANGE | Highly elevated level of seismic and/or fumarolic activity or other unusual activity. Eruption may begin with less than 24 hours notice. |
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| RED | Eruption is in progress or may begin without further warning. |
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