Where Is The Underwater Volcano Kick 'em Jenny?
Kick ‘em Jenny, also called Mt. Kick-'Em-Jenny or Kick-'em-Jenny, is an active underwater volcano or seamount on the floor of the Caribbean Sea. Kick-'em-Jenny is roughly five miles to the north of the Caribbean island of Grenada and approximately five miles to the west of Ronde Island. The mountain has a height of 4,265 feet above the floor of the sea. Reports state that the summit is at least 607 feet below the water surface.
Naming
Admittedly, the name “Kick-'em-Jenny” is a peculiar one. Unfortunately, the reason why it was given that name is still unknown. Prior to 1939, the volcano did not have a name as it was still unknown. Speculations suggest that the name “Kick-'em-Jenny” may be a name referencing a small island in the Grenadines known as Diamond Rock or Île Diamante as it’s known by the locals. Other speculations suggest that the name could be a reference to a strait that is situated between Ronde Island or Île de Ronde and Grenada. Others suggest that the name “Île de Ronde” may be referencing the rough waters around the mountain.
Eruptions
The very first time that Kick ‘em Jenny was recorded to have erupted was back in 1939. Based on the evidence, it is clear that the mountain erupted a lot more prior to 1939. The exact dates of the first eruption were on July 23, 1939, and July 24, 1939. Records show that the eruption broke the surface of the sea with steam and debris were thrown up into the air at a distance of 902 feet. The result was a series of tsunamis that were at least six feet high. These tsunamis rocked the coastlines of the southern Grenadines and northern Grenada. Records also show that smaller and weaker tsunami managed to reach the western coast of Barbados. The tsunami that hit Barbados was observed as a sea-wave that suddenly washed to shore.
Between 1939 and 2001, Mt. Kick ‘Em Jenny erupted at least twelve other times. The most recent eruption prior to 2018 occurred in July 2015. In that time, the threat level was raised to orange, which is the second highest level. On July 24, 2015, an hour-long event was recorded although nothing out of the ordinary was observed at the surface of the water above the mountain. Eventually, the threat level was lowered to yellow. Recently, the level has been raised back to orange on March 12, 2018, and ships have been warned to steer clear.
Exclusion Zone
The shipping route between Grenada and St. Vincent passes close to the submarine volcano. As a precaution, there is a maritime exclusion zone around the mountain that is monitored and enforced by the Seismic Research Center of the West Indies University of Trinidad. The exclusion zone is approximately 1 mile from the volcano’s center. The reason for this zone is that volcanic gases may create bubbles in the water that may pose as a sinking hazard to the ships plying the route. In case of increased seismic activity, the zone is expanded to approximately 3 miles from the center of Kick ‘em Jenny.
