10 Dec

Posted at 10:28h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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There has been little variability in the eruption in the last 24 hours, with it continuing to show strombolian activity and ash emission from several vents in the centre and southeast of the main cone, and effusive activity from vents to the west of the main cone. The lava flows continue to feed mostly flow 9, but some of flow 11 as well, although in the last 24 hours no new land has been affected by the lava flows.

09 Dec

Posted at 09:49h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruption enters its 82nd day, still showing mixed strombolian activity and ash emission from several vents in the centre and southeast of the main cone. There also remains active effusive vents located to the west of the main cone emitting fluid lava flows. The only current active lava flows are those feeding flow 9, which represents the southern end of the lava delta and the flow occupying the lava delta (fajana) from the 1949 eruption. The lava flow to the south that was affecting new ground however appears to have become inactive. The cracks seen in the secondary cone have been confirmed to have produced small landslides modifying the morphology of the cones, although this has not affected broader edifice stability.

08 Dec

Posted at 09:35h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Mixed activity continues to be seen from the main cone, with strombolian activity and ash emission coming from multiple vents at fluctuating intensity and explosivity, as well as some more effusive phases producing lava flows. Fluid lava flows continue to be emitted from the effusive focus to the west of the main cone. At this time, the lava flows flow west through multiple lava tubes and all head towards flow 9 at the southern margin of the current lava deltas. The cracks and fractures observed in the secondary NE cone in the last days have not shown any relevant changes, and have been attributed to the cooling and contraction of the cone when it became inactive on the 4th December. Due to the stagnation of the lava flows to the NW, evacuees from the Calle Nicolás Brito País and Las Martelas de Abajo areas of Los Llanos De Aridane are allowed to return home this morning.

07 Dec

Posted at 09:17h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruptive activity remains centred around several emission points in the centre and southeast part of the main cone, with pulsing strombolian activity and ash emission, and also the effusive vents to the west of the main cone. The effusive vents emit very degassed and fluid lavas, that are travelling through various streams, including through a lava tube to a cliff in the Las Hoyas area (flow 9), and also to the SW over previously unaffected areas. At the central cone, the cracks observed yesterday in the upper part of the northeast secondary cone have not shown any changes since the last observation.

06 Dec

Posted at 08:20h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruption continues with strombolian activity with variable amounts of gas and ash emission from the main cone, as well as an effusive focus to the west of the main cone that opened up on the 4th of December. The flows from this region have now reached the sea, adding material to the southern lava delta. Elsewhere, lava flow activity continues to the concentrated mainly in lava tubes in the centre of the flow, feeding flow 4. A new Copernicus EMS map, showing lava flow progress until 5th December 07:50 UTC calculates 1,212 ha and 2,881 buildings affected by the flows.

05 Dec

Posted at 07:33h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruption continues to show mixed activity from the main cone, with strombolian activity of varying intensity and explosiveness, producing both pyroclastic deposits and lava flows. The new fissure, which opened up oriented E-W west of Las Manches cemetery close to noon yesterday (04/12), continues to show effusive activity producing very fluid lava flows, which inundate new areas to the south of the current lava flow field, and has reached and reactivated the southern lava delta (flow 9). Elsewhere, other new emission points to the west of the main cone are feeding flows in the centre of the flow field, which join lava tubes heading towards flows 4 and 7. Latest figures from Copernicus estimate 2,897 buildings and 1,151 hectares are affected by the lava flow field, which is 3.35 km across and the widest point.

04 Dec

Posted at 07:52h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Throughout the day, the surface activity of the volcano was variable, with the northeast vent that was been the most active over the last week stopping, and the foci of the eruption switching to vents on the southeast flank of the main cone, which showed intermittent strombolian activity. This switch led to the reactivation of the lava flows to the south of Cogote Mountain, which occupy new land to the south of the flow field, although they were viscous and moved slowly. However, in the early evening, it was reported that new emission centres aligned east-west appeared lower down the southern flow west of the Las Manchas cemetery. These are emitting very fluid lava, speeding up the advance of the new lava flow and affecting further land.

03 Dec

Posted at 12:51h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Today, the eruptive activity is low and varied, relative to recent days. Until the early morning, activity was concentrated in the northeast vent, which showed periods of strong strombolian activity interspersed with shorter periods of no activity from either vent. Numerous active lava streams remained close to the vent, which are predominantly flowing through the main portion of the flow field over existing flows (mostly flow 10). Throughout the day eruptive activity has been low to minimal, with no activity from the northeast cone for much of the day, and occasional ash-rich emission, likely phreatomagmatic in nature, from the main vent.

02 Dec

Posted at 12:34h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Eruptive activity continues to be concentrated around the vent on the NE flank of the main cone that has formed a secondary cone of pyroclasts, with some intermittent ash and fumarolic activity from the main cone. The active lava flows now travel only over previous flows, through the centre of the flow field towards the northern lava delta at flow 7, and also along flow 8 along the northern margin of the lava flow field towards La Laguna. According to the latest stats from the Cadastre, 1,562 buildings have been destroyed, including 1,250 residential buildings and 163 for agricultural use. Seismicity decreased markedly compared to the last two days, especially in relation to intermediate depth (10-15 km) earthquakes. 98 events were recorded, with almost all of the events being at intermediate depths, with only a handful of deep (30-45 km depth) events. The day’s largest earthquake which was a mbLg 4.2 event at 11 km depth.

01 Dec

Posted at 12:59h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Eruptive activity from the vents in the main cone has continued to be sporadic, with the majority of the eruptive activity being concentrated in strombolian activity in the secondary cone on the NE flank of the main cone, which produces lava flows and pyroclasts. The northernmost flow, now called flow 12, continues to be fed by this cone and has a second branch travelling on top of flow 8 which is about 800 m from La Laguna. The latest data indicate 1,134 hectares have been affected by the lava flows, and the flow field reaches a maximum width of 3,350 m. Damage estimates from Copernicus estimate 2,860 buildings have been affected by the lava flows, whilst the land registry only estimates 1,548 buildings destroyed. Seismicity was once again very high. 336 events were 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 4.0 event at 11 km depth.