Seismic Research Centre monitoring water levels in Dominica’s Boiling Lake

Dominica’s Office of Disaster Management is working in conjunction with the UWI Seismic Research Centre to monitor the water levels in Dominica’s Boiling Lake as a significant shift has been noticed in the last few days.

According to UWI Seismic Research Center, since 1876, there have been multiple instances of this sort and fluctuations in water levels is a common occurrence as far as the boiling lake is concerned.

The most recent, similar episode occurred in December 2023, which prompted forest department officials and guides to report changing levels and express their concerns. This has carried forward to March 2024, as levels have been dropping once more.

In fact, in an official statement, it was revealed that on the 29th of March, the authorities were concerned as there was little or no water in the Boiling Lake.

The Seismic Research Center has confirmed that the fluctuations in water levels are not influenced by an increase in volcanic activity in the region, which has assuaged the doubts of many observers.

One of the major points of concern is that during such situations, harmful gases such as carbon-dioxide are released in relatively large quantities, accompanied by minor steam explosions. These recent occurrences are said to be caused by blockages in vents which feed the Boiling Lake.

The biggest concern for researchers and the authorities is the fact that these blockages can occur without warning.

Dominica’s Office of Disaster Management and the UWI Seismic Research Center have stated collectively that both organisations are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide updates as an when necessary.

The Boiling Lake is of great importance to Dominica, considering the fact that it is one of the largest volcanic-hydrothermal features in the world, located close to the Valley of Desolation in the southern region of Dominica.

The government has allocated a significant amount of resources at its disposal to make Boiling Lake one of the most appealing tourist attractions in the Caribbean.

Naturally, it has meant that despite changes in water levels being a common occurrence, researchers continue to keep an eye on the situation as it develops and are prepared to do what is necessary to preserve this unique natural feature of the Caribbean nation.