La Palma volcano summary: 24 October 2021
La Palma volcano eruption: Sun 24 Oct
La Palma in infra-red
Volcanic activity from Cumbre Vieja captured with infra-red cameras over night.
Live from La Palma
We've hooked up some cameras on the island to bring you live images from the volcano.
Alonso's Austin GP tribute to La Palma
In recent days we told you about Spanish F1 driver Fernando Alonso's efforts to help those devastated by the volcanic activity. After the US GP he posted the following comment.
Satellite images provide a glimpse into the hardest hit areas of La Palma.
As of 23 October, more than 2,143 buildings had been destroyed, and with seismic actity picking up and the lava continues flow, the end of the crisis is still out of sight.
The eruption that began over a month ago in La Palma, shows no signs of slowing. More than 79 earthquakes were recorded on the island Sunday, after a 5.0 magnitude quake was recorded yesterday.
Spanish authoriteis recorded 79 earthquakes on La Palma on Sunday 24 October.
New footage of the lava flow, shows what many streets in La Palma currently look like. These images show the level of destruction that volcano has had, and just how difficult it will be to open roads throughout the impact area once the eruption has ended.
Who is Team-A and how are they using drones to rescue dogs in La Palma?
In recent days, focus has been drawn to the mysterious Team-A which has conducted various missions to rescue dogs trapped in the path of the volcano in La Palma.
After a banner reading "Fuerza La Palma. The dogs are fine." signed by the A-Team was found, drone footage has identified human footprints in the area, meaning that someone or a group is entering the registered area to provide care and rescue the dogs.
More information on the case that has baffled local officials and animal rights activists is available from The Canary News.
Spain vows to speed up aid to volcano-hit La Palma
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain would speed up aid to the hard-hit agriculture and fishing industries on the island of La Palma, where part of the volcano's cone collapsed on Saturday and red hot lava continued to flow over a month after the eruption began.
Lava has covered almost 900 hectares of land, destroying over 2,000 buildings and many banana plantations. More than 7,000 people have had to leave their homes since the eruption started on Sept. 19.
"At the cabinet meeting next Tuesday we are going to make a budgetary modification to accelerate the arrival of economic resources for both the Employment Plan and aid for the entire agriculture and fishing sector," Sanchez said at a press conference during his fifth visit to the island since the eruption began.
Rivers of lava
This video from Mundo en Conflicto wonderfully showcases the rivers of lava flowing from the mouth of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.
Cumbre Vieja in numbers
The volcano on the Canary Island of La Palma has been active for 35 days and has covered over 910 hectares in lava, destroying 2,146 buildings in the process.
Cumbre Vieja lights up night sky
The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute has been releasing some stunning live footage of the eruption on La Palma and this photo shows the activity on the volcano late on Sunday, with lava still exploding from the mountain over a month since the eruption began.
Is a tsunami from Cumbre Vieja eruption likely?
There has been plenty of speculation about the possibility of a mega-tsunami as a result of the Cumbre Vieja eruption, but is such a scenario really likely? Not so, according to most experts. A report from the United States Geological Survey largely debunks a 2001 paper on the subject. While it wasn't entirely out of the question depending on various factors, the conditions for such a cataclysmic event have not been met by the current eruption.
A handful of images taken by Andalucian Marine Science Institute showing technicians from their drones department who have been doing a superb job in gathering images and information about all aspects of the volcanic erruption on La Palma through the lenses of their drones during the past few weeks.
New figures for damage to crops and agriculture
According to the latest available data, it is estimated that the area of agricultural land which has been engulfed by lava stands at 259,82 hectares - 13.94 hectares more than the most recent assessment. Of that, 145.61 hectares corresponds to banana plantations, 53.54 hectares to vineyards and 22.89 to the cultivation of avocado.
Radar image shows various craters on La Palma volcano
Another fascinating aerial view of Cumbre Vieja volcano, this time a digital radar image courtesy of the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute (IGME). It shows the various cones and craters which have formed plus the trails of lava which almost entirely cover the southern part of La Palma.
Latest on lava flow status and damage from Copernicus
Here is the latest update and mapping image from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. It shows the areas covered by lava from Cumbre Vieja (891.9 hectares) plus the buildings which it has consumed, 2,143.
Video of new lava flow on southern face of La Palma volcano
It's been a busy day for the scientists and technicians at INVOLCAN, who provided us with fresh video footage of the new lava flow which has emerged on the south eastern side of Cumbre Vieja.
Current levels of CO2 and SO2
Levels of carbon dioxide emitted by Cumbre Vieja on Saturday were recorded at 799 tonnes per day, figures which remain high but in line with the erruptive process at this stage. Levels of sulphur dioxide are also over the limit in some parts, approximately 3,200 tonnes per day but the regional government have stated that overall, air quality on the island remains good..
Liquid lava swallows up 14 hectares of land in just 12 hours
Liquid lava from Cumbre Vieja on La Palma has covered 14 hectares of land in the last 12 hours, which means that the total area now submerged by numerous streams of lava stands at 891.9 hectares, according to the latest research data from the Copernicus satellite.
All Canary Islands airports operating as normal
All of the airports in the Canary Islands are open and running as normal. "La Palma airport is operational and unaffected by the volcanic activity. However, we advise passengers to consult their airline operator before travelling. All airports in the Canary Islands remain open and operational at this moment," AENA confirmed.
Hundreds of homes in La Laguna as lava flow creeps closer
Hundreds of homes in the La Laguna district of La Palma are under threat by streams of molten lava. The advance of a number of lava flows over the weekend have been a concern for authorities although in some cases, deposits of ash have stemmed the lava from causing more damage. Particularly at risk are the estates and farm buildings of the banana plantations in that part of the island.
Drone footage shows new landmass formed by lava deposits
One of the latest videos released by Spain's Geological and Mining Institute (IGME) shows the new landmass formations on the coast of La Palma, where molten lava has accumulated.
Tourists flock to La Palma to see volcanic erruption
Cumbre Vieja has entered its 35th day of activity but that hasn't deterred a few tourists from watching events unfold from a safe distance. Airports in the Canary Island, including La Palma remain operational although authorities have warned anyone planning to visit that the situation could change at any moment.
2,270 buildings have been damaged or destroyed on La Palma
The volcanic erruption on La Palma continues to wreak havoc and leave destruction in its path. New figures released on Sunday, report that extensive damage has been caused to 2,270 buildings, 2,143 of which have been completed destroyed by molten lava, with 127 suffering damage. A total of 65 kilometres of roads and motorways have been destroyed with a further 3.5 kilometres requiring repair work.
Seismic activity increases on La Palma with 79 tremors recorded since midnight
There has been a substantial increase in seismic activity on La Palma during the past few hours with the National Geografic Institute (IGN) reporting 79 earth tremors on the island during the early hours of Sunday. The strongest so far, with a magnitude of 4.1, was recorded in Fuencaliente and was felt in part part of La Palma.
Thermal imaging shows extent of lava spreading in La Palma
Interesting images taken with an infrared thermal imaging camera and released by the CSIC, highlight the extent to which molten lava from Cumbre Vieja has engulfed land on the island compared to footage of the same area taken by a standard video camera.
New lava flow stream detected on south side of La Palma volcano
The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute has announced that a new stream of lava has emerged on the south face of Cumbre Vieja.
The new lava flow is situated in the region of Las Manchas, one of the first to be evaxcuated when the volcano activity began on 19 September.
Biggest tremor yet detected on La Palma
Monitors have picked up the largest underground tremor detected on La Palma since Cumbre Vieja started erupting on September 19. The magnitude 4.9 tremor occurred on Saturday afternoon, around 10km south of Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Solidified lava on the seabed
Spain's Oceanography Institute and the CSIC have published fascinating underwater images showing how molten lava spilling from Cumbre Vieja has solidified on contact with sea water. Video footage shows lava and ash deposited on the seabed, alongside marine life 400 metres under the surface.
Latest images from La Palma of this morning's erruption
Pictures taken just a few moments ago, show Cumbre Vieja eurrpting, spewing lava, ash and rocks into the air from it's four vents. Via INVOLCAN
Where are most volcanoes located?
Volcanism is responsible for over 80% of Earth’s surface both above and below sea level, but where are most volcanoes located today?
Four new volcano openings
The situation just keeps escalating with four more openings being seen at Cumbre Vieja. The Geological Institute shared this footage on Saturday.
Sánchez promises speedy aid package for La Palma
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain would speed up aid to the hard-hit agriculture and fishing industries on the island of La Palma, where part of the volcano's cone collapsed on Saturday and red hot lava continued to flow over a month after the eruption began.
Lava has covered almost 900 hectares of land, destroying over 2,000 buildings and many banana plantations. More than 7,000 people have had to leave their homes since the eruption started on September 19.
"At the cabinet meeting next Tuesday we are going to make a budgetary modification to accelerate the arrival of economic resources for both the Employment Plan and aid for the entire agriculture and fishing sector," Sánchez said at a press conference during his fifth visit to the island since the eruption began.
In early October, Sánchez announced €206 million ($239 million) in government funding for the island to rebuild infrastructure and boost employment, agriculture and tourism.
La Palma volcano eruption updates: welcome
Hello and welcome to our live blog for Sunday 24 October 2021, bringing you the latest updates and information on the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma.
Many believed it would be short-lived when the lava first began flowing way back on 19 September. As we now know, that prediction was a long way from what has transpired since.