Submarine volcano could pose threat to Guyana - engineers group Stabroek News May 16, 1999 The Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) has warned of possible serious implications for Guyana if a submarine volcano situated between Grenada and St Vincent erupts. A document sent to the Chairman of the Sea Defence Board, Lloyd Pigott, by President of GAPE, Mel Sankies, speaks of the likelihood of the volcano erupting sometime in the early 21st century causing extensive damage in the Lesser Antilles and also having some effect on the low coastal plain of Guyana. The volcano located some 9 km off the north coast of Grenada has been named "Kick 'em Jenny" by residents of the island because the turbulence of the waves produced by minor eruptions is reminiscent of the bucking of an angry mule with a vicious back kick. The document said that the Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies based in Trinidad, has with some foreign assistance, been monitoring the behaviour of the volcano since 1953. "Their records indicate that the volcano's cone has been building up steadily and is now 150 metres below sea level". The records also indicate that the volcano is likely to erupt before the cone reaches the surface. If the eruption occurs when the cone reaches the surface the results will not be as serious since a submarine volcano is most dangerous if the cone erupts when it is still under sea level, the document said. "It must be emphasised that although much work has been done by the Seismic Research Unit of UWI and funding for further study has been provided by the Caribbean Development Bank, the persons working on the project still cannot predict with any degree of certainty the timing of a major volcanic eruption.....", it noted. However, the document notes that in the case of Guyana, there is the possibility that waves generated by the erupting volcano could sweep into the Atlantic through the gap between Barbados and Grenada and result in serious overtopping and even destroying the sea defence works here. GAPE says that it stands ready to act in an advisory capacity to the Works and Communications Minister, Anthony Xavier and Prime Minister Sam Hinds on the matter. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples