10 Mar La Palma Reconstruction – February 2025
La Palma’s Reconstruction: February 2025 Update
News roundup from across La Palma regarding science occurring in La Palma, reconstruction efforts, aid provided to residents and industries, and other relevant news. Sources this month:
Sources: La Palma Ahora, Cabildo de La Palma, El Time, ABC España, El Valle de Aridane, El Dia, Mirame, Planeta Canario, Canarias 7, El Diario, National Geographic
Reconstruction
- Acceleration demanded for the recovery of Puerto Naos – La Palma President Sergio Rodríguez has asked those tasked with mitigating volcanic gases in Puerto Naos to accelerate the mitigation measures needed to allow a full recovery of these areas. Currently, around 80% of the population can return to their homes in Puerto Naos, although access is still limited in some areas where the gas levels are the highest. The latest developments saw access authorised to seven new homes and two new businesses premises, taking the totals up to 707 homes and 15 commercial premises in Puerto Naos with access.
- House lease database created for the affected – The Cabildo de La Palma has created a database of those affected by the volcano with the aim of making rental housing available specifically for them and facilitate access to these properties.
- Removal of ash piles in Las Manchas – The PSOE political party has insisted that the Cabildo de La Palma remove leftover ash stores as soon as possible from Las Manchas. This has been demanded for many months, as the ash causes inconvenience to those living in the area, especially when it is remobilised during strong winds
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The Canary Islands World Biosphere Reserve Foundation has implemented or is in the process of completing a total of 91 project which aim to recover the Island, El Time (2025).
Frustrations over agriculture recovery – The island deputy, Alicia Vanoostende has acknowledged the frustration at the rate of agricultural recovery on La Palma. Only 7% of the 299 applications for agricultural aid have been approved, with 98 pending, and many have complained about the proposed expropriation compensation of €44 per square metre of land
- Economic situation in La Palma – The latest economic report by the FEDELAPALMA group shows signs of recovery of La Palma’s economy following the eruption, with lower unemployment, some recovery in tourism levels, and growth in industries such as construction. However, key industries such as tourism and banana exports still remain below pre-volcano and pre-pandemic levels.
- 91 Biosphere projects – The Canary Islands World Biosphere Reserve Foundation is carrying out or has completed 91 projects throughout La Palma, and have more due to be completed in 2025 aimed at assisting the recovery of La Palma from the eruption.
Aid
Nieves Lady Barreto says that 701 of the 1,298 homes affected by the volcano have been paid for (El Time, 2025).
- 701 out of 1,298 homes affected by the volcano have been paid for – Nieves Lady Barrato, Presidential Advisor in the Government of the Canary Islands, has claimed that so far, 701 out of the 1,298 homes affected by the volcano have been paid for. On farming, she also claims that 126 out of the 1,306 farms affected by the volcano have been fertilised in the last year, showing the extent of recovery. However, she also called on the lack of action from the Government of Spain as slowing the process, especially the promised €100 million for La Palma, which has not yet arrived.
- Reasons for aid payment delays – The delay for many of those affected to receive payments of aid relating to the value of their lost properties has been put down to two main reasons. Firstly, the time taken to process all of the necessary documentation, and secondly, the continued delays from the Spanish state for the payment of the €100 million promised to La Palma to help finance the recovery of the island.
- €350,000 for basic needs – The Cabildo de La Palma has allocated €350,000 in aid for those affected by the volcano to cover costs for basics such as food, clothing, housing, rent and mortgage expenses.
- More funds for recovery of affected municipalities – The Cabildo de La Palma through its Local Development Strategy is investing in projects in the municipalities most affected by the eruption. For example, the EDIL Plan Southwest Corridor of La Palma has been launched with a budget of €15 million, and €12.7 million has been requested from the European Regional Development fund.
- New lines of subsidies for businesses – A new line of subsidies has been opened aimed at businesses, self-employed works, and agricultural workers affected by the volcanic eruption, with applications closing on the 30th March. €5 million has been allocation for these subsidies, that are meant to aid recovery and development of these businesses.
Science
The Government approves a Plan to improve surveillance, detection and response to earthquakes, eruptions or tsunamis. El Time (2025).
- Government approves new National Hazard surveillance plan – The Government Council of Ministers has approved a National Plan for the Surveillance of Seismic, Volcanological and Geophysical Phenomena, prepared by IGN, which hopes to strengthen current surveillance capabilities.
- New petrological study on the 2021 eruption – A study lead by the University of Granada has investigated the evolution of the magmatic composition during the main three phases of the 2021 eruption, providing an insight into processes at the beginning, middle and end of the eruption. Amongst the most impactful findings are petrological signatures that indicated the ending of the eruption two weeks before it stopped, which has also been identified in eruptions in Iceland and Hawaii.
Other updates
- Population and unemployment recover – La Palma has now recovered its population to pre-eruption levels after it fell during the eruption, and at the same time the unemployment rate on the island is at its lowest in 17 years. The unemployment recovery has been attributed in part to the reconstruction process and associated jobs available.
Learn more about the amendments to the Volcano Law promoted by those affected by Tajogaite eruption. El Valle de Aridane (2025).
- Progress of the “Volcano Law” – Proposed amendments to the “Volcano Law” from the main political parties, which is currently being debated in parliament, have been published. The law aims to guarantee legal and financial protection from future volcanic eruptions in the Canary Islands, and that it is also applied retroactively to the 2021 eruptions. The proposed amendments included a desire to mandate home insurance for those in volcanic risk areas, and changes to the options for people who lose their homes during eruptions. A controversial amendment by PP is that they do not want the la to be applied retroactively to the 2021 eruption.
- Head of INVOLCAN speaks about the lack of evacuations before the eruption – In a TV interview, Nemesio Perez, Scientific Coordinator of INVOLCAN, stated that the population on La Palma could and should have been given more time to react, and that the situation seen in 2021 cannot happen again.
- Tierra Bonita appeals to the ECHR over lack of evacuations – Tierra Bonita has filed a lawsuit to the European Court of Human Rights, against the refusal of courts in Spain to open an investigation into criminal responsibilities over the lack of evacuations prior to the 2021 eruption.
- La Palma ash for Tenerife beaches – The Cabildo de La Palma has received a request to replace the black sand on San Marcos Beach in Icod de Los Vinos in Tenerife with volcanic ash from La Palma. About 41,000 m3 would be moved, at a cost of €2.2 million.
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