28 Nov

Posted at 11:59h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The activity of the eruption remains stable, with a mixed strombolian behaviour showing both jets of ash and also the emission of lava flows. At approximately 3am, a new strombolian vent opened up to the northeast at the base of the main cone, and is producing a slowing moving lava flow heading in the direction of La Laguna. Since the early hours of the morning, there has been increased tremor in the shallow reservoir between 10-14 km depth, with >70 earthquakes peaking at M3.5 being recorded as of 11am. For context, throughout yesterday, only 75 earthquakes were recorded. However, deeper (>20 km) seismicity is lower today.

27 Nov

Posted at 11:56h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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For the first time since the 20th November, air quality has been sufficient enough to allow the commencement of operations at La Palma airport. The change in air quality is due to a change in wind direction, with dispersion of the volcanic plume now being to the southeast. The lava flow activity remains largely concentrated in the central flows which are widening, as well as in the stream at the south of the flow field which was fed by the inactive vents to the south of the main cone and advances incrementally. Seismicity remains similar to previous days, with 75 events being recorded with most being intermediate (10-15 km depth) events although some deep (30-45 km depth) events were recorded. The day’s largest earthquake which was a mbLg 3.6 event at 36 km depth.

26 Nov

Posted at 10:10h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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After the changes to the eruption on the 25th, the emission points that opened to the south of the main cone ceased emitting in the early hours of the morning, however the emission point that opened on the morning of the 25th to the east of the main cone remains active and feeding the new flow to the SW of the main cone. This flow has moved through flows 10 and 11 to the south of the flow field and has affected the photovoltaic plant, Las Manchas cemetery and new buildings. Later in the day, a new eruptive focus opened up on the eastern flank of the main cone.

25 Nov

Posted at 19:33h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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An increase in lava emission was seen throughout the day. Initially, at 9 am local time, a sudden increase was seen from the main effusive focus on the NW flank of the main cone and then at 11 am a new lava flow heading SW was observed emitted from a reactivated emission point to the east of the main cone.

24 Nov

Posted at 19:15h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Rain warnings have been issued for La Palma in the coming days, which PEVOLCA has warned could remobilise unconsolidated ash deposits which may form local mass movements and present a hazard to driving, especially in steep areas. Meanwhile, the dispersion of the ash and gas plume continues to be to the E/NE and are unfavourable to the operations of the airport.

23 Nov

Posted at 19:00h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The confinement ordered for areas of Tazacorte on the 22nd due to gases from the creation of a second lava delta to the north of the first one has been lifted today, as it was determined there is no further risk to these populations from gases. The extent of the new lava delta is unknown, although the first lava delta continues to grow and is estimated to be 43 hectares.

22 Nov

Posted at 18:25h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The advance of flow number 7 culminated in it reaching the sea at 12:03pm local time, where it begins to form a second lava delta north of the first one. In anticipation of this event, a preventative confinement of the four closest neighbourhoods in Tazacorte was ordered due to possible gas emissions, which affected 3,000 people.

21 Nov

Posted at 18:24h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The contribution of lava to the active lava flows has been concentrated around flows 4 and 7 which both flow parallel in between La Laguna Mountain and Todoque Mountain, and in the last 24 hours have merged a few hundred metres from the coast, to the SW of La Laguna Mountain. The flows are currently affecting new land which consists largely of banana plantations.

20 Nov

Posted at 17:36h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The cumulative amount of material expelled by the eruption so far is thought to have reached the threshold value (10 million m3) for the classification of the eruption to change from a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) 2 eruption to a VEI 3 eruption. However, PEVOLCA were keen to explain that this value only represents the amount of material emitted by the eruption and does not imply any changes to the eruption dynamics.

19 Nov

Posted at 17:18h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The increase in lava emission rate in the evening of the 18th has continued, making the lava flows faster and more fluid. However, there remains only three active fronts as in the past days, one to the south of the lava flow field that has flowed past Cogote Mountain, called flow 11, another front consisting of multiple streams feeding the lava delta (flows 1, 2 and 9), and finally a wide front between La Laguna Mountain and Todoque Mountain which is the most active flow (between flows 4 and 7).