22 Dec La Palma eruption update 22nd December 2021: Background levels of tremor continue

Volcanic tremor continues at background levels, with no eruptive activity seen, although a reactivation cannot be ruled out. If the current levels are maintained, the authorities will be able to call an end to the eruptive process on December 25th. PEVOLCA has advanced the planning of the reconstruction phase of basic services in anticipation of this event and hopes to start work as soon as possible once this has been declared.

21 Dec La Palma eruption update 21st December 2021: Four more days without activity needed to declare the eruption over

Volcanic tremor continues at background levels, with no eruptive activity seen, although a reactivation cannot be ruled out. Gas levels were high in the southern coastal area of the evacuated zones, and access from the south was allowed in Puerto Naos and El Remo but not La Bombilla, which extra guidance that people should not go inside buildings in these areas due to the possibility of higher gas levels. Access from the north was allowed as usual. To say the eruptive process is over, PEVOLCA stated the situation must stay the same for the next four days to bring the eruption to 10 days without activity. However, they this would not lead to a change in the short-term emergency situation or restrictions.

20 Dec La Palma eruption update 20th December 2021: Dangerous gas levels registered downstream of the lava flow field

Volcanic tremor continues at background levels, with no eruptive activity seen, although a reactivation cannot be ruled out. Rigorous monitoring of gas levels throughout the evacuated zones continues, especially in La Bombilla, Puerto Naos and El Remo, where potentially lethal values have been detected on occasion according to PEVOLCA. However, gas levels improved relative to the 19th and permitted access to the evacuated zones from both the north and south, from the land and the sea. Small pockets of incandescence remain around jameos (areas where the roof of a lava tube has collapsed), although this is related to the cooling process of the lava.

19 Dec La Palma eruption update 19th december 2021: Background levels maintained

Volcanic tremor continues at background levels, with no eruptive activity seen, although a reactivation cannot be ruled out. PEVOLCA is keen to stress there is still danger from the temperatures and instability of the lava flows, as well as their associated gases, and that residents entering the evacuated areas should not approach any flows, even if they seem inactive. Small remnants of incandescent lava flows breaking out from lava tubes have still been observed in the south, which led to gas levels that prevented access for neighbours and irrigators to the evacuated areas from the south.

18 Dec La Palma eruption update 18th december 2021: 5 full days without tremor or eruptive activity

Volcanic tremor continues at background levels, with no eruptive activity seen, for the 5th full day in a row, with each passing day of no activity increasing the likelihood that the eruption is finished for good, although a reactivation cannot be ruled out. PEVOLCA is keen to stress there is still large dangers from the temperatures of the lava flows and the associated gases. Small remnants of lava flows breaking out from lava tubes have still been observed in the south, associated with flow number 11. Furthermore, it is anticipated that gas levels may lead to entry into the southern parts of the evacuated zones being halted sporadically in the next days.

17 Dec La Palma eruption update 17th december 2021: Risks still remain despite the lack of activity

Volcanic tremor continues at background levels with no change and there remains no eruptive activity on the surface, apart from slight degassing from the main craters and areas where the roofs of lava tubes have collapsed. PEVOLCA again was keen to stress that the legal emergency situation and red traffic light are still maintained, as are the Civil Protection measures that have been in place since the start of the eruption.

16 Dec La Palma eruption update 16th december 2021: PEVOLCA: The eruption won’t be declared over until at least 10 days without activity

For the third day, volcanic tremor continued at background levels and there was no eruptive activity on the surface, apart from slight degassing from the main craters and areas where the roofs of lava tubes have collapsed. However, PEVOLCA was keen to remind people that a high risk still exists, and that civil protection measures, exclusion zones and evacuation zones are being fully maintained. People who access these areas must always be accompanied by personnel with air quality measuring equipment.

15 Dec La Palma eruption update 15th december 2021: Tremor continues at background levels

Throughout the 15th, volcanic tremor continued to be at background levels and there was no eruptive activity on the surface, apart from slight degassing from the main craters. However, PEVOLCA was keen to remind people that a high risk still exists, and that civil protection measures, exclusion zones and evacuation zones are being fully maintained. To start thinking about the end of the eruption, the current state of the volcano must be maintained for at least 10 days.

14 Dec La Palma eruption update 14th december 2021: No tremor or surface activity seen for more than 24 hours

Since the cessation of volcanic tremor on the evening on the 13th, it has remained at background levels now for more than 24 hours. No surface activity is seen from the main cone, and the lava flows on the surface are largely inactive. PEVOLCA say this may represent a sign of ‘exhaustion’ of the eruptive process but refuse to rule out a restarting of activity. The number of earthquakes increased yesterday to 91 events, peaking at M3.2. However, some of this increase is due to the fact that there is no tremor, as 56 lower magnitude events ( Read More