The latest statistics on the renewed growth of the lava delta over the past few days indicate it has now created 41 hectares of new land away from the previous coastline. The lava delta has continued to grow to the south as flow 9 which was travelling over the 1949 lava delta has now reached the sea and adds material to it. As well as flows 1, 2 and 9 feeding the lava delta, flows 4 and 7, the fronts of which are located to the south of La Laguna Mountain near the northern edge of the flow field, are also being fed by lava tubes.  Regarding earthquakes the frequency and magnitude remained fairly low. 44 events were recorded, with similar amounts at both intermediate (10-15 km) and deeper (30-45 km) depths, with the day’s largest earthquake being a mbLg 4.4 event at 38 km depth. Levels of deep seismicity remain constant but levels of intermediate depth seismicity has decreased in the last few days.

SO2 emissions decreased to levels seen on the 13^th, at 3,000-3,500 tons per day, whilst the ash and gas plume again reached 3,100 m. However, satellite measurements imply current SO2 emissions show a downward trend since the start of the eruption. Tremor continues to be stable at low levels as seen since the start of November, and variable deformation continues to be seen at the LP03 GPS station in Jedey closest to the eruption, whilst the rate of regional deflation seen since the start of November in the other stations has decreased. Regarding air quality, SO2 levels were at good or reasonably good levels in all stations except Los Llanos and Puntagorda where the daily threshold (125 μg/m³) was exceeded due to peaks of unfavourable levels in the morning. PM10 levels in Los Llanos again decreased, with peaks of extremely unfavourable levels up to 542 μg/m³ being recorded at 2pm local time, contributing to the exceedance of the daily threshold (50 μg/m³). Good or reasonably good PM10 levels were recorded at all the other stations.

A false colour radar composite image of the affected area from the COSMO-SkyMed satellite. It clearly shows the morphology of the main cone, as well as the areas of active lava flows in the last week (green). Image credit: Copernicus EMS

Sources: Government of the Canary Islands, PEVOLCA, Involcan, IGN, DSN, Cabildo La Palma, 112 Canarias, Tolouse VAAC, Copernicus EMS