What kind of volcano is La Soufrière (St. Vincent)?

La Soufrière (St. Vincent) is classified as a Stratovolcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Its tectonic setting is Subduction zone / Oceanic crust (< 15 km).

How is seismicity near La Soufrière (St. Vincent) monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

Summit crater of La Soufriere volcano on Saint Vincent

Photo:William Melsonvia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #360150

13.33°N, 61.18°W

Erupted since 2000

Volcano La Soufrière (St. Vincent)

Q: When did La Soufrière (St. Vincent) last erupt?

The most recent eruption of La Soufrière (St. Vincent) recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2021.

Q: How is seismicity near La Soufrière (St. Vincent) monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

On 7 May 1902 its eruption killed about 1,600 people, a day before Mount Pelée destroyed Saint-Pierre on nearby Martinique. When it awoke again in April 2021, after a lava dome had been growing for months, scientists ordered the evacuation of some 20,000 people before the first explosion, and no one died.

Last Eruption

2021

Erupted since 2000

Summit Elevation

1.2 km

Stratovolcano · Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Seismic State

Normal Baseline

0 events (1.0x rate)

Interactive Volcano & Seismicity Map

Seismicity within 50 km radius, active VAAC ash plumes, and tectonic plate boundaries.

Recent seismicity within 50 km

0 events in the last 12 h within 25 km of the crater.

No catalogued earthquakes within 50 km in the last 90 days.

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcano

La Soufrière (St. Vincent) is an active Stratovolcano formed in an active Subduction zone / Oceanic crust (< 15 km). Dominant lithology: Andesite / Basaltic Andesite.

Edifice TypeStratovolcano

Major RockAndesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic SettingSubduction zone

Volcanic ArcLesser Antilles Volcanic Arc

Volcanic Dossier

VN #360150

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

CountrySaint Vincent and the Grenadines

Crater Coordinates13.330°, -61.180°

Summit Elevation1.2 km

SubregionLesser Antilles Volcanic Arc

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#360150)

Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure

All 18 Networks & VAAC →

Seismic ObservatoryGSN / FDSN

Global Seismographic Network & Regional Centers

Official Portal

ICAO Aviation Ash Center

ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Network

International Civil Aviation Organization

VAAC Advisory Desk

Swarm telemetry correlated across 18 networks against a 30-day baseline.Read Science & Physics →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols

The most recent eruption of La Soufrière (St. Vincent) recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2021.

Catalogue: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program.Smithsonian GVP profile