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.

30 Nov

Posted at 12:24h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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The eruptive activity remains intermittent from some or all of the vents in the main cone at times, although lava emission has continued from the main cone. Elsewhere, at the new secondary cone at the NE of the main cone, there have been several small landslides. There are two main active lava flows, the flow to the north of the flow field near Tajuya attached to previous flows, and a flow to the west of Todoque Mountain covering new land. Seismicity increased significantly, measuring the most daily events recorded since the eruption began. 376 events were recorded, with most being intermediate (10-15 km depth) events although some deep (30-45 km depth) events were recorded, including the day’s largest earthquake which was a mbLg 4.8 event at 37 km depth.

29 Nov

Posted at 12:08h in Day by Day, La Palma, VolcanoStories by
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Activity from the summit of the central cone has been minimal today, contrasting with previous days where weak strombolian and phreatomagmatic activity was observed. The lower Hawaiian vents at the base of the northeastern flank that opened in the early hours of the 28th November continue to produce a large but decreased quantity of lava relative to yesterday. These feed a new lava flow covering new land near the northern margin of the current lava field, in the direction of La Laguna. However, the flow is slower and more viscous today, and it is expected to join flow number 8 (the flow nearest the centre of La Laguna) or stop, depending on the evolution of the activity from the feeding vents.

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.