31 Oct La Palma eruption update 31st october 2021: Increased lava emission has been seen in the last 24-48 hours

In the last 24-48 hours, an intensification has been observed in the eruptive process with increased rates of emission of lava from the NW flank of the main cone, as well as periods of more intense explosive activity and ash emission accompanied with audible explosions and visible shockwaves. Regarding the lava flows, the flow to the south of the lava flow field is currently heading south and not towards the sea for now. The rest of the active lava flows run through previously covered areas in channels, contributing to the thickening of these flows. Some sections of the original flows have been estimated at >30 m thick. Despite the uptick in activity, earthquake activity has decreased relative to previous days and remains at levels similar to the 30th. 99 events were recorded mostly at intermediate depths (10-15 km), although again the day’s most powerful earthquake was deeper, a 5.0 mbLg earthquake, this time at 38 km depth.

30 Oct La Palma eruption update 30th october 2021: Lava flows affect new land to the south of the flow field

The lava emission centre on the northwest flank of the main cone continues to feed a branched stream, with one branched travelling west, and another travelling southwest. The most fluid of these flows is the latter, which has exceeded fronts of the original flows and has advanced 1,500 m in the last 24 hours over new land at the southern extent of the lava flow field and has reached the low coastal plain near Las Hoyas. The width of the lava flows has now exceeded 3,000 m because of the advance of this flow, and the total area affected by the lava flows now stands at 964 hectares. Earthquakes continued to be observed at high magnitudes at intermediate depths (10-15 km) with some large earthquakes at deeper depths (35-40 km), although at a lower frequency than previous days. 105 events were recorded, peaking at 5.0 mbLg at 37 km depth, which was the most powerful earthquake since the eruption began.

29 Oct La Palma eruption update 29th october 2021: Earthquakes remain at high magnitude and frequency

To counter potential road disruption from the influx of tourists the weekend for All Saints’ Day on the 1st November, the authorities have launched a shuttle bus service from Breña Baja on the east of the island to the area of the eruption for tourists. People using private vehicles must not use the LP-3 road, to keep it free for emergency services, residents, public transport and military vehicles. The volcano remains in the same behaviour pattern in the last few days with high lava effusion rates from the NW flank of the main cone, which has shown some stability as well over the last couple of days. At noon however, there was a more intense period of ash emissions and audible explosions for several hours, which could be caused by intense degassing according to PEVOLCA. The most active lava flow, to the south of the original flows, has advanced 900 m in the last 24 hours over new ground. At the current rate, it could threaten the road that connects Puerto Naos to towns further south of the lava flows. Earthquakes remain at a high magnitude and frequency at intermediate (10-15 km) depths. 185 events were recorded, peaking at mbLg 3.7.

28 Oct La Palma eruption update 28th october 2021: Over 900 hectares now affected by the lava flows

The lava emission predominantly feeds three different lava streams, with two of these affecting new ground. One of these is the flow to the south of La Laguna Mountain, which is now 86 m from the cliffs, and the other affecting new ground to the south of the original flows near Camino de Aniceto. The final active flow is feeding the lava delta, which is advancing underwater. The area affected now exceeds 900 ha, with the total width of the lava flows exceeding 2,900 m. Seismicity remains at similar levels to previous days, with high frequencies and magnitudes being recorded in the same area at 10-15km depth. 195 events were recorded, peaking at 4.2 mbLg.

27 Oct La Palma eruption update 27th october 2021: Limited new land being affected by the active lava flows

According to PEVOLCA, the more ‘favourable’ scenario regarding the paths of lava flows remains, as they are now largely directed west of the volcano and across previous flows. This is causing a widening and thickening of the flows, but only a small amount of already isolated land is being ‘filled in’ in this new configuration. In terms of eruptive activity, the fissure eruption continues to show a mixed strombolian mechanism, with more explosive phases producing pyroclastic deposits and more effusive phases that produce lava and currently dominate. New road controls have been announced for the coming days as a result of concerns about the increasing number of tourists visiting the eruption, and the disturbances that could bring for local people and emergency personnel. Regarding seismicity, earthquakes continue at a high magnitude in the same area and depths as previous days, although at a variable frequency. 192 events were recorded, peaking at 4.8 mbLg.

26 Oct La Palma eruption update 26th october 2021: The lava flows are thickening and widening

According to PEVOLCA, the latest reconfigurations and partial collapses have produced a more ‘favourable’ scenario regarding the paths of lava flows, as they are now largely directed west of the volcano and across previous flows. This is causing a widening and thickening of the flows, but only a small amount of already isolated land is being ‘filled in’ in this new configuration. Regarding seismicity, earthquakes continue at a high magnitude in the same area and depths as previous days, although with less frequency than previous days. 108 events were recorded, peaking at 4.9 mbLg.

25 Oct La Palma eruption update 25th october 2021: Reconfiguration of the main cone continues

The reconfiguration of the cone continues, with large amounts of lava being emitted, on the new stream to the south of the lava flow field, on top of the original lava flow, and on the stream that runs to the north of Todoque mountain. Some of the areas that were isolated but not covered by lava initially are now being ‘filled in’ by the renewed progress of these flows. The flows towards La Laguna are largely unchanged, and the stream closest to the coast remains about 110 m from the cliffs. There was a partial collapse of the upper part of the cone at 8pm local time, which dragged large blocks down the lava flows away from the cone. In Fuencaliente, the LP-2 road had to be closed due to small landslides in the area, most likely due to the increased earthquake activity, particularly at intermediate depths (10-15 km). 247 events were recorded, peaking at 3.7 mbLg. PEVOLCA have not ruled out further small landslides in steep areas, and if the current trend in earthquakes continues, there is a greater probability of earthquakes reaching intensity values of 6.

24 Oct La Palma eruption update 24th october 2021: Number of earthquakes significantly increases

The new lava flow that emerged on the afternoon of the 23rd continues to flow slowly parallel to the southern limits of the old flows and has been named stream 10 to aid its tracking. Elsewhere, the active flows are largely being fed by lava tubes and channels, although not much advance is seen on the surface at the lava fronts. Throughout the eruption, there have been a total of 9 different vents, although only four of them are currently active; three strombolian vents in the main cone, and a more effusive lava emission vent located on the NW flank of the main cone and forms a conelet. In the afternoon, multiple new lava emission centres opened both at the SE end of the eruptive fissure, and on the west flank of the main cone. Earthquake activity significantly increased, although almost all events remained recorded at intermediate (10-15 km) depth. 271 events were recorded, the most recorded in a single day since the eruption began, peaking at 4.0 mbLg.

23 Oct La Palma eruption update 23rd october 2021: New lava stream observed to the south

Currently, a period of the redistribution of active lava flows seems to be taking place around the volcano, with the flows affecting La Laguna appearing to have almost stopped and receiving a smaller contribution of lava than previous days. As such, the area affected by lava flows has only increased by 3.4 hectares relative to the previous days, with 849 hectares now estimated to be covered. However, the progress of this flow is still being heavily monitored, especially its potential path in relation to if it would pass to the north or the south of La Laguna Mountain. Multiple small partial collapses in the main lava emission vent (which has formed a conelet of welded pyroclasts on the main cone) are thought to be the reason for this redistribution, as well as the development of lava tubes. In the afternoon, a new lava flow to the south of the main cone upstream of Corazoncillo was observed, although its progress is slow, in part because it entrains a lot of the ash and pyroclasts deposited in this area as it moves, which increases its viscosity.

22 Oct La Palma eruption update 22nd october 2021: Forward advance of lava has slowed

The front of the active lava flows in La Laguna to the north of the flow field are currently practically stopped, although there still remains a high flux of lava feeding these flows, which is leading to their widening and thickening. Nonetheless, the evacuation ordered on the 20th October remains in place. The latest damage assessment puts 845 hectares of land affected by the lava flows, and according to the land registry, 1,280 buildings have been damaged or destroyed including 1,030 residential buildings. However, data from Copernicus EMS estimates a much larger number of buildings affected. 258 hectares of agricultural land has been affected so far, including 144 hectares of banana plantations.