06 Dec

Posted at 08:20h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruption continues with strombolian activity with variable amounts of gas and ash emission from the main cone, as well as an effusive focus to the west of the main cone that opened up on the 4th of December. The flows from this region have now reached the sea, adding material to the southern lava delta. Elsewhere, lava flow activity continues to the concentrated mainly in lava tubes in the centre of the flow, feeding flow 4. A new Copernicus EMS map, showing lava flow progress until 5th December 07:50 UTC calculates 1,212 ha and 2,881 buildings affected by the flows.

05 Dec

Posted at 07:33h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruption continues to show mixed activity from the main cone, with strombolian activity of varying intensity and explosiveness, producing both pyroclastic deposits and lava flows. The new fissure, which opened up oriented E-W west of Las Manches cemetery close to noon yesterday (04/12), continues to show effusive activity producing very fluid lava flows, which inundate new areas to the south of the current lava flow field, and has reached and reactivated the southern lava delta (flow 9). Elsewhere, other new emission points to the west of the main cone are feeding flows in the centre of the flow field, which join lava tubes heading towards flows 4 and 7. Latest figures from Copernicus estimate 2,897 buildings and 1,151 hectares are affected by the lava flow field, which is 3.35 km across and the widest point.

04 Dec

Posted at 07:52h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Throughout the day, the surface activity of the volcano was variable, with the northeast vent that was been the most active over the last week stopping, and the foci of the eruption switching to vents on the southeast flank of the main cone, which showed intermittent strombolian activity. This switch led to the reactivation of the lava flows to the south of Cogote Mountain, which occupy new land to the south of the flow field, although they were viscous and moved slowly. However, in the early evening, it was reported that new emission centres aligned east-west appeared lower down the southern flow west of the Las Manchas cemetery. These are emitting very fluid lava, speeding up the advance of the new lava flow and affecting further land.

03 Dec

Posted at 12:51h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Today, the eruptive activity is low and varied, relative to recent days. Until the early morning, activity was concentrated in the northeast vent, which showed periods of strong strombolian activity interspersed with shorter periods of no activity from either vent. Numerous active lava streams remained close to the vent, which are predominantly flowing through the main portion of the flow field over existing flows (mostly flow 10). Throughout the day eruptive activity has been low to minimal, with no activity from the northeast cone for much of the day, and occasional ash-rich emission, likely phreatomagmatic in nature, from the main vent.

02 Dec

Posted at 12:34h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Eruptive activity continues to be concentrated around the vent on the NE flank of the main cone that has formed a secondary cone of pyroclasts, with some intermittent ash and fumarolic activity from the main cone. The active lava flows now travel only over previous flows, through the centre of the flow field towards the northern lava delta at flow 7, and also along flow 8 along the northern margin of the lava flow field towards La Laguna. According to the latest stats from the Cadastre, 1,562 buildings have been destroyed, including 1,250 residential buildings and 163 for agricultural use. Seismicity decreased markedly compared to the last two days, especially in relation to intermediate depth (10-15 km) earthquakes. 98 events were recorded, with almost all of the events being at intermediate depths, with only a handful of deep (30-45 km depth) events. The day’s largest earthquake which was a mbLg 4.2 event at 11 km depth.

01 Dec

Posted at 12:59h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Eruptive activity from the vents in the main cone has continued to be sporadic, with the majority of the eruptive activity being concentrated in strombolian activity in the secondary cone on the NE flank of the main cone, which produces lava flows and pyroclasts. The northernmost flow, now called flow 12, continues to be fed by this cone and has a second branch travelling on top of flow 8 which is about 800 m from La Laguna. The latest data indicate 1,134 hectares have been affected by the lava flows, and the flow field reaches a maximum width of 3,350 m. Damage estimates from Copernicus estimate 2,860 buildings have been affected by the lava flows, whilst the land registry only estimates 1,548 buildings destroyed. Seismicity was once again very high. 336 events were recorded, with most being intermediate (10-15 km depth) events although some deep (30-45 km depth) events were recorded. The day’s largest earthquake which was a mbLg 4.0 event at 11 km depth.

30 Nov

Posted at 12:24h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruptive activity remains intermittent from some or all of the vents in the main cone at times, although lava emission has continued from the main cone. Elsewhere, at the new secondary cone at the NE of the main cone, there have been several small landslides. There are two main active lava flows, the flow to the north of the flow field near Tajuya attached to previous flows, and a flow to the west of Todoque Mountain covering new land. Seismicity increased significantly, measuring the most daily events recorded since the eruption began. 376 events were recorded, with most being intermediate (10-15 km depth) events although some deep (30-45 km depth) events were recorded, including the day’s largest earthquake which was a mbLg 4.8 event at 37 km depth.

29 Nov

Posted at 12:08h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Activity from the summit of the central cone has been minimal today, contrasting with previous days where weak strombolian and phreatomagmatic activity was observed. The lower Hawaiian vents at the base of the northeastern flank that opened in the early hours of the 28th November continue to produce a large but decreased quantity of lava relative to yesterday. These feed a new lava flow covering new land near the northern margin of the current lava field, in the direction of La Laguna. However, the flow is slower and more viscous today, and it is expected to join flow number 8 (the flow nearest the centre of La Laguna) or stop, depending on the evolution of the activity from the feeding vents.

28 Nov

Posted at 11:59h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The activity of the eruption remains stable, with a mixed strombolian behaviour showing both jets of ash and also the emission of lava flows. At approximately 3am, a new strombolian vent opened up to the northeast at the base of the main cone, and is producing a slowing moving lava flow heading in the direction of La Laguna. Since the early hours of the morning, there has been increased tremor in the shallow reservoir between 10-14 km depth, with >70 earthquakes peaking at M3.5 being recorded as of 11am. For context, throughout yesterday, only 75 earthquakes were recorded. However, deeper (>20 km) seismicity is lower today.

27 Nov

Posted at 11:56h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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For the first time since the 20th November, air quality has been sufficient enough to allow the commencement of operations at La Palma airport. The change in air quality is due to a change in wind direction, with dispersion of the volcanic plume now being to the southeast. The lava flow activity remains largely concentrated in the central flows which are widening, as well as in the stream at the south of the flow field which was fed by the inactive vents to the south of the main cone and advances incrementally. Seismicity remains similar to previous days, with 75 events being recorded with most being intermediate (10-15 km depth) events although some deep (30-45 km depth) events were recorded. The day’s largest earthquake which was a mbLg 3.6 event at 36 km depth.