EVACUATION DISCUSSIONS BEGIN IN ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Following fresh tremors on the island early Thursday, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves announced final arrangements are being made to evacuate northern communities on the island.

Seismologists assert more long-period earthquakes have been recorded and this indicates fresh magma is attempting to reach the surface. This could mean the volcano may move to a more explosive stage. Smoke activity at the site has also increased over the last few hours.

The alert level remains at Orange.

ABS will continue to track this developing story.