Resilience Way, Lower Estate, St. Michael
Tel: (246) 434-4880 Fax: (246) 271-3660
Email: cdema@cdema.org
Visit our website: www.cdema.org
INFORMATION NOTE #1 – KICK ‘EM JENNY SUBMARINE
VOLCANO
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Message:
Changed Alert Level at Kick ‘em Jenny Submarine Level –
Orange Alert
1. THE EVENT:
The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) reports that on Thursday, July 23rd from 1:25am to 3:00am local time, a
strong continuous signal was observed on instruments monitoring the Kick ‘em Jenny submarine volcano.
Signs of elevated seismicity (earthquakes) began on 11th July and continue to the present. For the period
since the 11th July, a total of more than 200 micro and small earthquakes, of varying magnitudes, have been
recorded, with the largest, prior to the strong signal, less than magnitude 3.0. There have also been
observations from divers of degassing occurring off the west coast of Grenada in the Moliniere Sculpture
Park area. This activity is being closely monitored by The UWI-SRC and further updates would be issued as
more information becomes available.
2. PROGNOSIS
ORANGE ALERT:
An orange alert means that there is a highly elevated level of seismic and/or fumarolic activity or other
unusual activity. An eruption may begin with less than twenty-four hours notice.
According to the Director at the SRC, the activity continues at Kick ‘em Jenny. So far the eruptions are
following similar patterns as observed in the past. Since 1935 the volcano has erupted in a similar fashion
every 10 years with the latest eruption occurring in 2001. It is therefore anticipated that the eruptions will
not reach the surface, however, the potential exists. The greatest threat is to shipping at this time,
however, civil authorities and the public should be on alert.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Recommended action by Civil Authorities and the Public
3.1 According to the SRC, based on the Orange Alert level, it is recommended that vulnerable communities
are advised of evacuation routes and transport put on standby.
3.2 Local radio stations in Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados and Trinidad are to be placed on alert.
3.3 The public are advised to listen to local radio continuously for updates and visit the Seismic Research
Unit website if possible.
Participating States:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica,
Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,
Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands
Resilience Way, Lower Estate, St. Michael
Tel: (246) 434-4880 Fax: (246) 271-3660
Email: cdema@cdema.org
Visit our website: www.cdema.org
3.4 All shipping should stay outside the first exclusion zone (1.5km from the summit).
3.5 Non-essential shipping (pleasure craft etc) should stay 5km clear of the summit (second exclusion zone).
3.6 Visiting scientists who are not taking part in essential monitoring are regarded as non-essential.
4. ACTIONS TAKEN BY CDEMA
4.1 The CDEMA Coordinating Unit has been monitoring the situation through information received
from the Seismic Research Centre. The alert level was raised to Orange today and the Director of
the SRC, Dr. Richard Robinson made a Press Statement today on the volcano.
4.2
4.3
Contact was made with the National Disaster Coordinators of CDEMA Participating States in the
immediate area.
i.
Grenada has advised that the Kick ‘em Jenny (under water) volcano has been acting up over
the past 3 days, and there are more activities today than in the past days. A scientist from the
SRC has been deployed to Grenada to strengthen the seismic monitoring instrumentation
network. An Information Notice to all Marine Interest in the area (as advised by SRC), and The
National Emergency Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet today at 1:30p.m.
ii.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has advised that there are monitoring the situation and are
issuing a press release. They have also advised that the Prime Minister has been briefed and
an information notice has been shared with marine interests in the region.
iii.
Saint Lucia has advised that they will be sharing a press release and are currently monitoring
the situation.
iv.
Barbados has been contacted and convened a meeting of emergency personnel to assess the
situation and review their actions to address the situation.
Staff at the CDEMA Coordinating Unit monitored radio, television, websites and internal email for
information.
4.4. The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) has been placed on alert.
5. CONCLUSION
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit will continue to monitor the situation to offer assistance to its
Participating States as required.
Local radio stations in Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados and Trinidad are to be placed on alert.
Participating States:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica,
Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,
Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands
Resilience Way, Lower Estate, St. Michael
Tel: (246) 434-4880 Fax: (246) 271-3660
Email: cdema@cdema.org
Visit our website: www.cdema.org
The public are advised to listen to local radio continuously for updates and visit the Seismic Research
Unit website if possible at http://www.uwiseismic.com/
The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) has been placed on alert.
6. ADVICE ON TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS
 If you live in a low-lying area – for instance near to the beach – identify the quickest way to get to
high ground. Generally a safe area is considered to be at least 30m (~100feet) above sea level and
3km (~ 2miles) inland. Teach and practice your evacuation plan with all family members.
 If you recognize signs of a tsunami - such as a strong earthquake or the sea pulling back significantly
from the coastline - leave the area immediately, run for high ground and stay there. Move uphill or
at least inland, away from the coast.
 Abandon your belongings. Save your life, not your possessions.
 Do not count on the roads. When fleeing a tsunami caused by a nearby earthquake, you may find
roads broken or blocked.
 Sometimes tsunamis may occur without the initial pulling back of the sea. In this case, a massive
wall of water may be seen approaching land. If you can see the wave you are already too close to
outrun it.
 If you are unable to move to higher ground, go to an upper floor (at least the 3rd storey) or roof of a
strong building. As a last resort, climb a strong tree if trapped on low ground.
 If swept up by a tsunami, look for something to use as a raft.
 Expect many waves. The next wave may be bigger, and the tsunami may last for hours.
 If possible, stay tuned to a radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
 Help injured or trapped people and call for help if necessary.
 Open windows and doors to help dry buildings.
 Remove mud while it is still moist to give walls and floors an opportunity to dry.
 Check food supply and test drinking water. Fresh food that has come in contact with flood water
may be contaminated and should be discarded.
 Check for damage to sewer and water lines.
People should continue to monitor the releases from the local national disaster office.
Contact Details: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 246 434-4880
Participating States:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica,
Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,
Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands