La Palma Reconstruction Updates

With new returns of evacuated people and a shrinking of the exclusion zone in the last few days, a new normal is emerging in the post-eruptive landscape on the island. However, it is important to remember that in this landscape volcanic dangers persist. PEVOLCA has warned returning residents of approaching the lava flows, even if they appear cooled and stable, as collapses of the lava flows as they cool is possible, as well as the...

After the successful return of more evacuees to their homes and reduction in size of the exclusion zone, the focus turns to the restorative work needed to repair damage to basic and essential services. Heavy machinery has been digging on the cooled lava flows surrounding La Laguna mountain, and work on an access road to Puerto Naos has been going well, despite being affected at times by gas levels in the area.

After days of tests and preparations, PEVOLCA has announced the size of the exclusion zone will be reduced from 7am local time Friday morning, allowing for the return of more of the evacuated population. All residents on the north side of the lava flow field have been cleared to return, as well as some to the south of the lava flow field. There still exists a larger exclusion zone to the south of the lava...

Work has continued on removing lava from the crossing in La Laguna, in the hope that this will enable new relocations of evacuated people this Friday. The re-opening of this crossing will open up access to areas between the villages of La Laguna and Tazacorte which have been cut off by the lava flows on this crossing at one end, and the lava flow which formed the northernmost lava delta at the other end.

PEVOLCA is investigating the possibility of allowing further returns of evacuated people as soon as next Friday, as it continues to analyse the state of the lava flows The lava flows are mainly being analysed in terms of their temperature, stability and gas emissions, with the adjustment of the exclusion area being possible if results are favourable.

Today, for the first time since the declaration of the end of the eruption, some of the evacuated people will be allowed to return to their homes. The order applies to around 1,000 of those evacuated to areas of Tacande and Tajuya (Rotonda del Sombrero), Las Martelas, La Condesa, Marina Alta, Marina Baja and Las Cabezadas (soccer field and cemetery area) in the north, and El Charco in the southern evacuated zone.