For the third day, volcanic tremor continued at background levels and there was no eruptive activity on the surface, apart from slight degassing from the main craters and areas where the roofs of lava tubes have collapsed. However, PEVOLCA was keen to remind people that a high risk still exists, and that civil protection measures, exclusion zones and evacuation zones are being fully maintained. People who access these areas must always be accompanied by personnel with air quality measuring equipment.

Because of the lack of activity, SO2 emissions from the plume remain stable, registering a low (<5 tons per day) value. PEVOLCA states these emissions are due to the solidification of superficial magma in the conduits, rather than magma ascent. Air quality with respect to SO2 and PM10 concentrations remained similar to the previous day. SO2 concentrations were good in all stations, as were PM10 levels in all stations except Los Llanos de Aridane, where extremely unfavourable levels were recorded in the morning. As a precaution, people are advised to stay indoors where possible, and continue to wear FFP2 masks. PM10 concentrations generally are expected to worsen over the coming days with an arrival of a Saharan air mass.

Deformation remains stable across the network, and 103 earthquakes were recorded yesterday, peaking at M3.5. Different to previous days, a number of clusters of deep earthquakes (35-40km depth) were recorded as well as intermediate depth earthquakes (<20 km). As in previous days, the number of events is inflated due to a number of small earthquakes (<M2.0) being detected and located, that would not be possible without the background tremor values seen currently.

A picture of the inactive main cone taken from the NW near the town of El Paso. Image credit: INVOLCAN

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