A PEVOLCA meeting today chaired by Justice, Security and Public Administrations Minister Julio Pérez on the evolution of the seismic activity on La Palma covered among other things advancing actions for a possible future evacuation of the population in the affected municipalities of Fuencaliente, Los Llanos de Aridane, El Paso and Villa de Mazo. The Cabildo de La Palma, who were in attendance, have activated their island-wide PEINPAL Emergency Plan as a preventative measure. Furthermore, an observation flight over La Palma has been coordinated for the monitoring of the ongoing activity. As well as the island-wide emergency plans, the town councils of the affected municipalities (Fuencaliente, Los Llanos de Aridane, El Paso and Villa de Mazo) have also activated their local emergency plans.

In terms of seismic events, PEVOLCA verified a decrease in seismic activity although were clear to state that this does not imply a halt to the volcanic reactivation and could merely be a transitionary phase. The seismic activity has migrated NE since the previous day, with pulses at both 6-8 km, and also at very shallow depths near the surface. Vertical inflation continues to be recorded albeit at a lower rate, which according to PEVOLCA is compatible with a shallower source of deformation. Given the progression of the activity, the occurrence of felt earthquakes of greater intensity, and the beginning of surface activity, is not impossible.

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

A map of the location and magnitude of the earthquakes since the start of the seismic swarm on the 11th. Image credit: IGN