On Friday afternoon, an explosive eruption rocked the area surrounding the La Soufrière volcano on the island of St. Vincent. 

Video footage of eruption at #LaSoufriere #SVG today. Credit: MVO, Dr Thomas Christopher @soufriere_hills @mvoms pic.twitter.com/p91Z5yXYmS

— UWISeismic Research (@uwiseismic) April 9, 2021

This comes days before the 42nd anniversary of the last eruption. 

The government ordered thousands to evacuate their homes, but officials worry the pandemic could impact efforts. 

According to the Associated Press, the ash column rose more than 20,000 feet high. 

Imagery via @sentinel_hub / Sent-3 at 14:11:58 UTC today shows a 150km long ash cloud plume from the eruption of #LaSoufriere pic.twitter.com/BtKxq0KEOS

— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) April 9, 2021

Heavy ashfall was reported in nearby communities causing poor visibility and flights to and from the island had to be canceled. 

 Barbados, St. Lucia and Grenada were also impacted by ash. 

There have been no reports of casualties from the eruption. 

This is so wild I just dunno…????? #LaSoufriere pic.twitter.com/VdIDtduOZJ

— Pray for Vincy????? (@Rachie784) April 9, 2021

Erouscilla Joseph, the director of the University of the West Indies Seismic Center, said more explosions could happen and they cannot predict if they will be larger or smaller. 

The center reported a second plume of ash after another explosion. 

Another explosion observed. The vertical ash column estimated to have gone approximately 4km into the atmosphere. We continue to monitor and update. #lasoufrière #volcano #svg #redalert #stilldangerous pic.twitter.com/anDIEb5lpD

— UWISeismic Research (@uwiseismic) April 9, 2021

RELATED: Indonesian volcano unleashes river of lava in new eruption