Status: 10/01/2021 7:29 p.m.
On the volcano on the island of La Palma, which erupted two weeks ago, two new crevices have formed, from which lava flows. According to the authorities, the volcano has become “much more aggressive”. Researchers recorded eight new quakes.
New lava pours out of the volcano in the Cumbre Vieja mountain range on the Canary Island of La Palma. Two more crevices formed from which the lava emerged. Authorities reported “intense volcanic activity” in the area.
Fiery red and orange molten rocks sprayed through the new fissures about 15 meters apart in the direction of the sea – parallel to a lava flow that had reached the Atlantic earlier this week.
The volcano was “much more aggressive” almost two weeks after the eruption, as Miguel Ángel Morcuende, technical director of the authority responsible for volcanic eruptions in the Canary Islands, reported. Scientists also recorded eight new earthquakes with magnitudes of up to 3.5 overnight. Gas and ash were ejected to heights of up to 6,000 meters, it was said.
80 million cubic meters of lava released
As the President of the Canarian Regional Government, Ángel Víctor Torres, said, 80 million cubic meters of lava have been released since the eruption began on September 19th. On Wednesday night, lava flowed into the sea for the first time. She has formed a more than 20 hectare headland there, which is still growing. This creates large amounts of smoke and toxic gases, which is why a safety area of 3.5 kilometers has been set up.
The city administration of La Palma stated that the air along the coast is monitored for its sulfur dioxide content, but so far there is no health risk.
1,000 buildings destroyed, but no deaths
Even so, the population was asked to stay in their homes. Face masks and protection against flying volcanic ash were also recommended. So far, the lava has knocked down more than 1,000 buildings and wiped out 338 hectares of land.
So far, there have been no deaths or injuries as a result of the outbreak – 6,000 people were swiftly brought from the affected area to safety.
On Sunday, the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has already visited La Palma twice since the outbreak began, wants to return to the island.