Status: 10/30/2021 5:21 p.m.
Again on the Canary Island of La Palma the earth shook. The quake, which has been stronger so far since a volcano erupted in the Cumbre Vieja mountain range, was also felt on the neighboring islands.
The Canary Island of La Palma has been shaken by the strongest earthquake since the beginning of the volcanic eruption almost six weeks ago. The tremors had a magnitude of 5.0 and could be felt on the entire island and partly on three neighboring islands, Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro, reported the TV station RTVE, citing the Spanish Geographic Institute (IGN). No significant damage was reported.
Volcano still active
Since the volcanic eruption there have been dozens of tremors on La Palma every day. Since all tremors continue to take place at depths of well over 30 kilometers, they do not pose a great danger, according to experts. However, they suggest that the volcano on the Cumbre Vieja mountain range in the south of the island will remain active for some time.
That is not necessarily bad news for the economy of the small Atlantic island. Because the volcano has now become a major tourist attraction, according to RTVE.
2500 buildings destroyed
Since the volcano erupted for the first time in 50 years on September 19, the lava has destroyed more than 2500 buildings, as the European Earth observation system Copernicus announced. According to this, a total of 946.5 hectares were covered by a meter-thick layer of lava.
More than 7,000 residents of the island have had to be brought to safety since the volcano erupted. For a few days now, the lava flows have only been moving very slowly towards the coast.