According to PEVOLCA, the more ‘favourable’ scenario regarding the paths of lava flows remains, as they are now largely directed west of the volcano and across previous flows. This is causing a widening and thickening of the flows, but only a small amount of already isolated land is being ‘filled in’ in this new configuration. In terms of eruptive activity, the fissure eruption continues to show a mixed strombolian mechanism, with more explosive phases producing pyroclastic deposits and more effusive phases that produce lava and currently dominate. New road controls have been announced for the coming days as a result of concerns about the increasing number of tourists visiting the eruption, and the disturbances that could bring for local people and emergency personnel. Regarding seismicity, earthquakes continue at a high magnitude in the same area and depths as previous days, although at a variable frequency. 192 events were recorded, peaking at 4.8 mbLg.

The 10 cm deformation signal seen at the Jedey station closest to the eruption yesterday has almost fully reversed, whilst the rest of the network continues to show no change. SO2 emissions were slightly lower than previous days, at 16,350 tons per day, although this is still an underestimated value, whilst the ash and gas plume reached 3400 m.  The tremor remains high, with pulses of intensification. Air quality with respect to SO2 remained variable, with stations in Los Llanos and Puntagorda exceeding the hourly threshold (350 µg/m³) at times throughout the day, and also the hourly alert threshold (500 µg/m³) and daily threshold (125 µg/m³). PM10 concentrations were low at all stations except Los Llanos, which was above the hourly threshold (50 µg/m³) between 9am-6pm local time.

The latest available data on the extent of the lava flows, showing the limited expansion of the flows in the last few days, and the shift of active lava flows in the last week from the northern limits of the flow field to the southern limits of the lava flow field. Image credit: Copernicus EMS

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