Many active lava flows persist to the south of the lava flow field with a variable contribution from the main cone, although almost all of the flows are contained within previous lava channels or tubes, with only small local overflows of lava. The extent of the lava flows has only grown by 2 hectares since yesterday, and now totals 983 hectares. The damage from the lava flows now includes 2,712 buildings, of which 2,570 are totally destroyed, according to Copernicus EMS. Seismicity has decreased over the last couple of days, with 84 earthquakes being recorded mostly at intermediate (10-15 km) depths, although the day’s largest earthquake was a mbLg 4.5 event at 35 km depth. After poor air quality for the last few days, the meteorological conditions in the next few days should be more favourable for air quality.

SO2 emissions increased and were measured at 31,300 tons per day, although this is underestimated relative to satellite measurements, whilst the ash and gas plume reached 3200 m. Satellite measurements however suggests a downward trend in the SO2 emissions since the start of the eruption. Volcanic tremor saw a new decrease to low levels, whilst deformation still remains stable in the proximal GPS stations, with slight deflation at distant stations. Air quality has markedly improved relative to previous days, with good-reasonably good levels with respect to SO2 concentrations recorded at all stations throughout the day. PM10 levels remain reasonably good-good levels in all stations except Los Llanos, which exceeded the daily threshold (50 μg/m³) at an average of 104 μg/m³, at very unfavourable levels.

(Above) A video of the eruption on the 4th taken by a drone showing the inside of the craters and the variable activity seen in the vents. Video credit: IGME, CSIC

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