Lava from La Palma eruption has burned almost 400 structures so far
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Slow-moving lava from a volcano on La Palma in the Canary Islands has so far destroyed close to 400 structures this week and 500 acres, authorities said in an update Friday.
The eruption, which began Sunday, is still spewing lava from fissures in the ground -- but the spread has slowed and seismic activity has reduced, according to Maria Jose Blanco, director of Spain's National Geographic Institute.
Blanco told The Canary News that the front of the lava flow is about 1,600 feet wide at some parts and rises as high as 40 feet.
Columns of gas and smoke have climbed as high as 14,000 feet, officials said, and several miles of roads have been destroyed.
The eruption is the first major explosion on La Palma in 50 years. Some researchers believe the lava might continue flowing for several weeks.
"The main uncertainty is how long this will last," said Arnau Folch, a volcanologist at the Spanish National Research Council, according to The New York Times. "It seems that what is happening now will resemble pretty closely what happened 50 years ago."
Folch said the 1971 eruption on La Palma lasted for about three weeks.
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Slow-moving lava from a volcano on La Palma in the Canary Islands has so far destroyed close to 400 structures this week and 500 acres, authorities said in an update Friday.
The eruption, which began Sunday, is still spewing lava from fissures in the ground -- but the spread has slowed and seismic activity has reduced, according to Maria Jose Blanco, director of Spain's National Geographic Institute.
Blanco told The Canary News that the front of the lava flow is about 1,600 feet wide at some parts and rises as high as 40 feet.
Columns of gas and smoke have climbed as high as 14,000 feet, officials said, and several miles of roads have been destroyed.
The eruption is the first major explosion on La Palma in 50 years. Some researchers believe the lava might continue flowing for several weeks.
"The main uncertainty is how long this will last," said Arnau Folch, a volcanologist at the Spanish National Research Council, according to The New York Times. "It seems that what is happening now will resemble pretty closely what happened 50 years ago."
Folch said the 1971 eruption on La Palma lasted for about three weeks.
MADRID (AP) — The airport on the Spanish island of La Palma shut down Saturday because of an ash cloud spewing out of a volcano that has been erupting for a week, and scientists said another volcanic vent opened up, exposing islanders to possible new dangers
© Provided by The Canadian Press
The intensity of the eruption that began Sept. 19 has increased in recent days, prompting the evacuation of three additional villages on the island, part of Spain's Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off northwest Africa. Almost 7,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.
The recent volcanic eruption is the first since 1971 on La Palma, which has a population of 85,000.
La Palma Airport operator Aena said the airport was “inoperative” due to the accumulation of ash. Other airports in the Canary Islands were still operating Saturday but some airlines were suspending flights, Aena said.
Emergency crews pulled back from the volcano Friday as explosions sent molten rock and ash over a wide area. The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute said another vent opened early Saturday.
Rivers of lava have been sliding down the mountainside toward the southwestern coast of the island, destroying everything in their path, including hundreds of homes. The speed of the flow has slowed down considerably, however, and the lava is now barely moving forward, with about 2 kilometers left to reach the sea, said Miguel Ángel Morcuende, head of the Canary Island Volcanic Emergency Plan.
“I don't dare to tell you when it's going to get there, nor do I dare to make a forecast,” Morcuende told reporters in a news conference.
A more immediate concern for the residents of La Palma is the huge ash cloud that is rising from the volcano and being carried by the wind to other parts of the island. In addition to being a significant danger to aviation, he said volcanic ash can cause damage to people's airways, lungs and eyes. The local government has urged residents in affected areas to avoid going outside and only do so wearing masks and goggles.
The Associated Press
The intensity of the eruption that began Sept. 19 has increased in recent days, prompting the evacuation of three additional villages on the island, part of Spain's Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off northwest Africa. Almost 7,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.
The recent volcanic eruption is the first since 1971 on La Palma, which has a population of 85,000.
La Palma Airport operator Aena said the airport was “inoperative” due to the accumulation of ash. Other airports in the Canary Islands were still operating Saturday but some airlines were suspending flights, Aena said.
Emergency crews pulled back from the volcano Friday as explosions sent molten rock and ash over a wide area. The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute said another vent opened early Saturday.
Rivers of lava have been sliding down the mountainside toward the southwestern coast of the island, destroying everything in their path, including hundreds of homes. The speed of the flow has slowed down considerably, however, and the lava is now barely moving forward, with about 2 kilometers left to reach the sea, said Miguel Ángel Morcuende, head of the Canary Island Volcanic Emergency Plan.
“I don't dare to tell you when it's going to get there, nor do I dare to make a forecast,” Morcuende told reporters in a news conference.
A more immediate concern for the residents of La Palma is the huge ash cloud that is rising from the volcano and being carried by the wind to other parts of the island. In addition to being a significant danger to aviation, he said volcanic ash can cause damage to people's airways, lungs and eyes. The local government has urged residents in affected areas to avoid going outside and only do so wearing masks and goggles.
The Associated Press
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