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The
St Lucia volcano, also called the St Lucia sulphur springs is said
to be the only drive-in volcano in the world. The last minor
eruption occurred in the late1700’s. It was only a steam
eruption but not one with magma and ash.
In
the 1830’s approximately 760 tons of sulphur was mined and
exported. Although there are signs of activity going on, for
example the boiling mud, water and steam that emerge from the
crater, the St Lucia volcano is dormant.
There
are several pots of boiling water that are above the normal boiling
point. There are also many colors at the surface as a result of
sulfur, iron, calcium oxide, copper oxide, magnesium, carbon and
other mineral deposited there.
The
caldera is believed to be connected to the ocean because of
increase reaction during a full moon which causes high
tides.
The
islands of the eastern Caribbean are linked via a volcanic arc, but
the St Lucia volcano is different because the water has therapeutic
qualities. You will find people who go to bath there in order to
remove blemishes on their skin.
Walking
in the crater is now prohibited after one of the guides fell in a
pool of boiling water when he was jumping up and down on it.
Fortunately, it was only waist height, so he was rescued but he did
suffer from some severe burns from the waist down.
There
is a very strong smell of sulfur that comes out of it. It is weak
during the day but very strong at nights. You can smell it for
miles away at nights but that is a good thing. If the smell goes
away, then that would mean that there is going to be a volcanic
eruption.
The
St Lucia volcano is located in Soufriere. The people of Soufriere
pride themselves on having the only drive in volcano in the world
right at their door steps. In fact, there are people living within
the perimeter of the craters.
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Be
careful on your way to the coordinates and keep your
left.
The
stairs are slippery and are not calibrated.
Take
note that a 8,00$US fee per person is required.
In
order to log as a find, you will have to complete the tasks bellow
and send me your answers for validation.
What
is the type of gas coming out of the spring?
Can
you see the Pitons from the above coordinates?
What
does the smell remind you of?
What
is the size of the caldera in square kilometers?
What
is the elevation at the posted coordinates?
What
is the distance from the posted coordinates and the first sulfur
spring?
Post a
picture of you and your gps with the gas in the
background.