La Palma volcano eruption news: 1 October 2021
La Palma volcano eruption: 1 October 2021
Volcano in La Palma continues to send lava spewing
Some experts beleive the eruption could last until December, with lava leaving behind a path of destruction, halting much economic activity on the island.
Satellite images capture the flow of lava in La Palma
New images captured by Copernicus Sentinel-2 show the path the lava took across the island of La Palma in the canary island after a volcano erupted over two weeks ago. This week the lava reached the ocean, creating a mass off the side of the island of volcanic rock.
Two new rivers of lava cascading down volcano flanks
Two new rivers of molten rock began flowing down the sides of Cumbre Vieja on Friday. IGME officials admitted that they do not know how the new rivers will behave, but they hope they will rejoin the main lava flow. However, if the rivers take on a different path, more properties and housing could be damaged or destroyed.
Liquid lava being emitted by volcano
Cumbre Vieja started spurting out lava which was notably less viscous on Friday, according to reports made by Spain's Geological and Mining Institute (IGME). The IGME filmed the volcano's activity from a drone with spectacular images showing rivers of liquid lava flowing down carbonized flanks.
Since the initial erruption on 19 September, Cumbre Vieja has released over 80 million cubic metres of magma - double the amount emitted by the neighbouring Teneguía volcano during almost one month of acitivity in the autumn of 1971.
La Palma coastline permanently altered by lava land mass
The shape of La Palma has been transformed forever by the erruption of Cumbre Vieja and the flow of molten lava into the Atlantic Ocean which has formed a peninsula 25 metres in height and extending almost 500 metres out from the mainland. As of Friday, officials estimate that just under 1,000 homes have been either damaged or destroyed by the volcanic erruption.
Thermal imaging shows extent of lava flow from Cumbre Vieja
La Palma's regional government continues to release information and data about how the situation is progressing, including thermal images taken from a drone which give a clear picture of how far the lava is spreading.
Lava flowing out from four vents on Cumbre Vieja
Two more vents have opened up on the side of Cumbre Vieja during the past 24 hours which means that lava is now being emitted from four openings of the volcano. The two, new recently-formed vents appeared about 600 metres from the crater on the northeastern side. The volcano, which has spewed out over 80 million cubic metres of lava since the first erruption 12 days ago, continues to spring surprises.
Where are most volcanoes located?
Volcanism is responsible for over 80 percent of Earth’s surface both above and below sea level, but where are the most volcanos located today?
Involcan images of the lava flow
The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute (Involcan) has shared these images of the lava flowing from the Cumbre Vieja volcano earlier today:
How many active volcanoes are there in the Canary Islands?
The Canary Islands in Spain were formed hundreds of thousands of years ago by volcanoes and, as shown over the past two weeks, some are still active.
A person in Tazacorte, La Palma, cleans the ash from a roof as smoke rises in the background.
(Photo: REUTERS/Juan Medina)
Images of the lava delta off the La Palma coast
Spain's maritime rescue service has filmed these video images of the delta formed by the lava flowing from the Cumbre Vieja volcano into the Atlantic Ocean. The boat was carrying scientists who were able to take samples from within the exclusion zone surrounding the lava.
Drone footage shows new open vent on Cumbre Vieja
Dramatic footage from the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute shows the new vent that has opened on Cumbre Vieja, and its lava flow joining up with that of the previous fissure.
More destruction feared in La Palma as lava pours from new vent
Lava flowed from a newly opened crack in the Cumbre Vieja volcano on Spain's La Palma on Friday, carving a different path from previous flows and raising fears of more destruction, while fine ash forced islanders to don masks and goggles.
A river of red-hot lava snaked downhill from the new fissure, which burst open late on Thursday around 400 metres (1,300 ft) to the north of the primary eruption site.
Multiple vents have opened since the volcano began erupting on Sept. 19 but the Canaries Volcanology Institute described the latest opening as a new "focus of eruption".
"There is concern about the path of this new flow towards the sea, although it is expected to join up with the previous one within the next few hours," said the head of La Palma's council, Mariano Hernandez Zapata.
He said more houses had been engulfed by lava overnight. "We have more drama ahead, more people to take care of," he told a news conference.
About 6,000 people have been evacuated since the eruption began and are yet to return home. More than 800 buildings including houses, churches and schools have been destroyed .
The volcano has thrown out 80 million cubic metres of molten rock, regional leader Angel Victor Torres said, doubling the amount expelled during La Palma's last major eruption 50 years ago in half the time.
Residents of Los Llanos de Aridane, one of the worst affected towns, have taken to carrying umbrellas and wearing eye protection as a precaution against the volcanic dust blanketing the streets and floating in the air.
"Last night the ash was irritating my eyes a lot, I had to use eye drops and my skin was stinging," said Matilde Gonzalez Tavarez, a 45-year-old nursing assistant visiting her mother at a care home in Los Llanos.
"It's helplessness, fear, insecurity. You don't know what's going to happen," she said, while street cleaners brushed away the carpet of black ash behind her.
Juan Antonio Perez Gonzalez, 56, who runs a floristry business in the town, fears the worst is yet to come.
"I can't put a good face on it or give you good news because this is a calamity," he told Reuters. He said many of the townspeople were preparing to pack up and leave.
Photo: REUTERS/Borja Suarez
Copernicus images capture La Palma coastal extension
Images from the European Union's earth observatory, Copernicus, clearly show the effect the lava flow is having on the La Palma coastline as it reaches the sea (center-left of the image). The coastline has increased by more than 500m in size since the lava reached the ocean.
Scientists take cover after blast
The footage below shows three scientists in close proximity to the Cumbre Vieja volcano take cover from flying debris following another explosion. Luckily, nobody was injured...
Dealing with the ash pile-up
ANADOLU Agency has compile a series of fotos of how locals are dealing with huge pile up of ash La Palma, with many using umbrellas to protect themselves from the "snow" of lava...
INVOLCAN denies reporrts personnel have been injured
The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute (INVOLCAN) has taken to twitter to deny rumors that some of its personnel have been injured in field activities on La Palma. So far, there have been no known deaths or injuries associated with the eruption of the Cumbre Viejo Volcano.
New land forms as lave reaches sea
Video footage of new land forming as the lava finally reached the sea in La Palma (courtesy of @TheSun)....
Lava flow opens up new path
Around 400 meters from the original eruption point to the north, the lava has opened a new flow path, which has been the result of the opening of a new crater. Authorities will now have to draw up new warnings for populated areas that may now find themselves in the path of this new lava flow.
Satellite picture of lava flow following the eruption of a volcano on the island of La Palma, Spain September 30, 2021. Picture taken September 30, 2021. European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2
What gas is being released when the lava meets the Ocean?
A toxic gas is released as a vapor when the molten hot lava hits the ocean water. The Guardian reported that "inhalation or contact with acid gases and liquids can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and may cause breathing difficulties, especially in people with pre-existing respiratory diseases."
When will the volcano in La Palma stop erupting?
As the lava has met the ocean in La Palma, experts are saying that "the eruption is not stabilized at all." Some experts are predicting that the eruption could go on for as long as three months.
La Palma volcano eruption: welcome
Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of the ongoing volcanic eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano has been spewing ash and lava since erupting on September 19, destroying hundreds of buildings and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.