Eruption of la Palma Volcano

Eruption of la Palma volcano

The volcano continues to expel lava that reaches great speeds and has already erupted for more than 30 days.

The volcanic island, one of the youngest in the archipelago, is still in formation. Since the Teneguía eruption in 1971, it had remained without relevant activity, until in 2017 seismicity was reactivated with a different series of earthquakes that strengthened as of September 11.

Why has another eruption now occurred?

Exactly 50 years ago, in October 1971, the last eruption took place on La Palma, with the Teneguía, which was also the last terrestrial eruption in Spain.

Why has it happened in that area?

The island of La Palma is very young in geological terms, barely two million years old, although it began to form under the sea four million years ago. But the island has two very clearly differentiated parts: the north, older and more solid, compared to the south, younger and still in formation. The magma continues to expand the island in the southern part.

What can cause the eruption of the volcano?

The eruption will cause the contamination of the groundwater of the affected territories, as has been pointed out by the National Geographic Institute, an entity that explains that the gases emanating from the volcano render the drinking water reserves useless, so they cannot be used for their consumption .

How hot is the volcano?

It reaches peaks of 1,150 degrees, according to measurements made by the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME) in collaboration with the Military Emergency Unit (UME).