UWI-SRC asking public to exercise caution when visiting Boiling Lake

The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) is reminding visitors to be cautious when visiting the Boiling Lake because it is showing increased activities. In its latest advisory on the matter, the organization said on March 29, the lake was observed to experience a significant drop in water levels, where there was little to no water observed in the lake.

“Since then there has been some partial refilling of the lake with water levels remaining low and fluctuating somewhat,” it said. “However, activity has increased with water temperatures of 84 degrees Celsius being recorded and visible venting observed. The public is reminded to be cautious when visiting the Boiling Lake as it continues to experience instability.”

The UW-SRC said it will continue to monitor the situation together with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in Dominica and will provide updates accordingly.

“The UWI-SRC and the ODM – Office of Disaster Management, are the official sources of information on volcanic activity in Dominica,” it said.

The most recent period of instability was first observed in December last year. Since then, guides and Forestry officials have reported fluctuating lake levels, with the latest significant drop in water levels occurring on March 29. On that day, the lake was nearly empty, with little to no water observed.

Historian Dr Lennox Honychurch said the loss of water in the lake is nothing new.

“It has had many moods over the centuries, some more intense than others,” he wrote on the matter on his Facebook page.

He said the lake, which is a flooded fumarole, actually erupted on January 4, 1880, covering Roseau in ash from a “phreatic eruption” of gas and ash.

“This terrified the population but injured no one,” Dr Honeychurch wrote. “In December 1901, an English visitor, Wilfred Clive, and his guide, Edward “Wiley” Jean Gilles, were killed by asphyxiation from gases coming from the lake when they climbed down to its shore.”

A photo provided by the historian, that was taken in 1887, shows the lake being completely dry with people walking inside the crater.