Caribbean volcano erupts

La Soufrière, a volcano on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, the largest island in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, erupted in a large explosion on April 9, sending an ash cloud 6½ miles into the air. Further explosive events have occurred, and the volcano continued to erupt ash at press time.

On St. Vincent, more than 20,000 people were evacuated from their homes. A thick layer of ash damaged buildings and crops and has caused shortages of clean drinking water. Nearby islands Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbuda and Grenada all have experienced heavy, damaging ash fall as well.