Thousands Evacuated From Caribbean Island After Volcanic Eruption
Experts said the ash column at La Soufriere volcano on St. Vincent rose more than 20,000 feet high.
Dánica Coto
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — An explosive eruption rocked La Soufriere volcano on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent on Friday after the government ordered thousands to evacuate their homes nearby.
Experts said the ash column rose more than 20,000 feet (6 kilometers) high and that the majority of the ash was headed northeast into the Atlantic Ocean.
However, heavy ashfall also was reported in communities around the volcano and beyond, with authorities saying some evacuations were limited by poor visibility.